Medicare Special Needs Plans
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans for people with limited income or certain conditions or diseases. It can be hard to have a condition that requires extra healthcare, and just as hard to cover health costs on a fixed or low income.
Here are some ways a SNP may be able to help:
Extra support from a special team of care providers
Prescription drug coverage
Rides to health-related appointments
Free healthy meals
Medicare Part B premium coverage
This list does not include all benefits that come with Special Needs Plans. Coverage may change based on where you live.
If you don’t qualify for a SNP, our Medicare Advantage HMO plans and Medicare Advantage PPO plans may be right for you. Find out what’s available in your area.
Which Special Needs Plan Fits You?
Dual-Eligible SNP (D-SNP)
A D-SNP offers extra support for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.
You need to be 65 or older or have certain health conditions to qualify for Medicare. Medicaid is based on your income level instead of your age. If your income qualifies you for assistance, you can be younger than 65.
Our D-SNPs include:
- Vision coverage
- Dental coverage
- Hearing coverage
- Over-the-counter (OTC) health items
- Prescription drug coverage
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)
Please note: Empire does not currently offer C-SNPs.
A C-SNP offers extra support and care for people living with:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or chronic heart failure
- Lung disease
- End-stage renal disease
Institutional SNP (I-SNP)
Please note: Empire does not currently offer I-SNPs.
You are eligible for I-SNP if you have or are expected to need long-term care (LTC), a skilled nursing facility (SNF), a LTC nursing facility (NF), or intermediate care for 90 days or longer.
Find out what SNP plan might be right for you.
Quick Care Tip
If you already have a SNP, explore your Summary of Benefits to make sure you’re taking advantage of your plan’s extra care and support. It’s worth it.
Special Enrollment Period For SNPs
If your health needs or living situation change, you may need to change your Medicare Advantage plan. Under these circumstances, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. The Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll in a new plan if your health needs or living situation changed.
For example, if you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or a heart condition, you may qualify for a SNP. You can use the Special Enrollment Period to switch your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Special Needs Plans
Dual-Eligible SNP (D-SNP)
A D-SNP offers extra support for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)
A C-SNP offers extra support and care for people living with:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or chronic heart failure
- Lung disease
- End-stage renal disease
Please note: Empire does not currently offer C-SNP plans.
Institutional SNP (I-SNP)
An I-SNP is for those who need the level of services provided in a long-term care (LTC) skilled nursing facility, an intermediate-care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or an inpatient psychiatric facility.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are for people with limited income or certain conditions or diseases. Benefits may include:
Extra support from a special team of care providers
Prescription drug coverage
Rides to health-related appointments
Free healthy meals
Medicare Part B premium coverage
SilverSneakers® fitness membership
This list does not include all the benefits that come with Special Needs Plans. Coverage may change based on where you live.
You may qualify for a SNP if:
- You are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
- You live in a long-term care facility like a nursing home
- You have a chronic or disabling medical condition that requires special care
Attend A Free Medicare Event
Sign up for a free Medicare event to learn how Empire Medicare plans help cover costs that Original Medicare doesn’t. You can attend a virtual Medicare webinar. Or, if you prefer, come to a live seminar in your area where a licensed Medicare agent will be present to answer your questions.
Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare contract. Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Empire BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal.