Can a C-SNP lower your healthcare costs?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a disease or chronic condition that is served by a Medicare Chronic Care Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) in your area, you may wonder if enrolling may lower your overall costs. A C-SNP is designed to cater to the needs you may have with a specific chronic condition, providing you with a personalized care team, access to medications commonly prescribed for your condition, and affordable services and/or supplies needed for your care.

Benefits included in a C-SNPOnce you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Medicare Advantage plans are required to include the same Part A and Part B benefits covered by Original Medicare, but most MA plans offer additional coverage. Because C-SNPs are designed to cater to people living with chronic conditions, most plans include a wide range of extra benefits, including vision and hearing exams, preventive dental care, hearing aids, fitness programs, and an over-the-counter allowance. Most C-SNPS also include coverage for non-emergency transportation. Many Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans offer a food allowance. These grocery benefits may help cover the costs of certain items purchased at specific local stores. The food allowance is usually offered monthly or quarterly as a type of pre-paid debit card. Items covered in a grocery allowance may include fruit, meat, grains, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and pantry staples. How do you qualify for a C-SNP?You’ll have to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you need to be been diagnosed with a chronic condition or disease covered by a C-SNP, and you must live in an area where a C-SNP that serves your condition is offered. When can you enroll in a C-SNP?If you’re already enrolled in Medicare, you probably know that you can make changes to your coverage during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP). From October 15 through December 15, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, drop Original Medicare and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch Part D plans, or drop your Medicare Advantage plan and revert back to Original Medicare (and enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan at that time). If a C-SNP is available in your area, you may switch to that plan if you meet the criteria during the OEP. If you’re outside of Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period and you’re diagnosed with a chronic condition covered by a C-SNP in your area, you may qualify to switch plans during a Special Enrollment Period.