C-SNP: Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans for People with Complex Health Needs
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage plan specifically intended for people with unique healthcare needs. There are three kinds of SNPs:
Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP)
In this article, we’ll focus on C-SNPs. Chronic conditions can take many different forms and affect people with various health issues. With access to specialists and tailored benefits, C-SNPs help people manage chronic and disabling conditions and get the care they need.
Key takeaways:
A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan is a Medicare Advantage plan designed for people who have a chronic or disabling condition.
Benefits of a C-SNP can include specialized care, transportation, meal delivery services, access to specialists, telehealth services, and more.
If you need help signing up for a C-SNP, a Medicare Advisor can assist. Call us at 855-900-2427 or schedule a time to chat. An Advisor can also help you understand your plan better if you already have a C-SNP.
What is a C-SNP?
C-SNPs are health insurance plans made for people who have been diagnosed with a chronic or disabling condition. They provide additional healthcare support to meet the unique needs of these individuals. Medicare requires C-SNPs to have the same coverage as Original Medicare, provide extra services to help manage a chronic condition, and prescription drug coverage included in the plan. Most C-SNPs also cover routine dental, vision, and hearing care.
Who is eligible for a C-SNP?
There are certain qualifying conditions you must have to be eligible for a C-SNP. These eligible conditions typically make it difficult for you to perform everyday tasks, are life-threatening, or require constant management to avoid serious health consequences.
These conditions include, but are not limited to:
Chronic alcohol and other dependence
Certain autoimmune disorders
Cancer (excluding pre-cancer conditions)
Certain cardiovascular disorders
Chronic heart failure
Dementia
Diabetes mellitus
End-stage liver disease
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis (any mode of dialysis)
Certain severe hematologic disorders
HIV/AIDS
Certain chronic lung disorders
Certain chronic and disabling mental health conditions
Certain neurologic disorders
Stroke
Benefits of a C-SNP
The goal of C-SNPs is to provide health insurance that’s more suited to people with chronic conditions. Managing chronic conditions often requires access to specialized care and services. That’s why C-SNPs come with additional benefits to broaden coverage for qualified beneficiaries.
These benefits can include:
Preventative care
Health and wellness programs
Routine dental, vision, and hearing services
Transportation
Meal delivery services
Over-the-counter (OTC) credits
Telehealth services
Access to specialists
Care coordination and disease management programs
What is the difference between a C-SNP and D-SNP?
It’s easy to mix up C-SNP and D-SNP since the acronyms are similar. Both are types of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, but they differ in who they are designed for. D-SNPs, or Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, have specialized benefits and coverage for people who have Medicare and Medicaid. C-SNPs have specialized benefits and coverage for people with chronic health issues like heart disease, lung disorders, or diabetes.
How to make the most of a C-SNP
People who need C-SNPs face complex situations. Your health is always on your mind, and you should get the care you deserve.
C-SNPs can be difficult to navigate, which is especially frustrating for a population that relies on good healthcare. People enrolled in a C-SNP sometimes find it challenging to use extra benefits and understand coverage and costs. And if you don’t have a C-SNP yet, choosing the right plan is especially important to take care of your wellbeing.
Whether you have a C-SNP currently and you want to understand your benefits better or you need help finding the right C-SNP for you, our Medicare Advisors can help! Talk to a licensed Chapter Advisor who can help guide you through your current plan or the best plan for you. Call us at 855-900-2427 or schedule a time to chat for free, personalized Medicare advice.