Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are private companies that the federal government pays to administer Medicare benefits. Like all Medicare Advantage Plans, SNPs must provide you with the same benefits, rights, and protections as Original Medicare, but they add the additional support for special conditions. Some SNPs offer additional benefits, such as vision and hearing care. There are three types of Special Needs Plans (SNPs) available:
Chronic-Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP): These plans serve beneficiaries with certain severe or disabling chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, COPD, and others. Chronic-Condition Special Needs Plans may target a single chronic condition or multiple conditions.
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP): These plans serve those living in an institution (such as a nursing home) or who need nursing care at home.
Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP): These plans serve people who have both Medicare and Medicaid benefits (also known as “dual eligibles”). Partial Medicaid recipients – with a share of cost – may not be eligible for Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans.