A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan whose benefits and provider network are optimized for serving a specific population within Medicare. The principal groups served by SNPs are:
- Dual eligibles (D-SNP)
- People with chronic medical conditions (C-SNP)
- People cared for in an institutional setting such as a nursing home (I-SNP)
A SNP may include special benefits absent in Original Medicare and are tailored to the needs of the group served by the SNP. SNPs also do not charge a premium to their enrollees.
C-SNPs are not designed for every chronic condition. For example, Medicare beneficiaries suffering from end-stage renal disease do not qualify for C-SNP enrollment.
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