Key Takeaways

  • SNPs are a Medicare Advantage program designed to offer benefits targeted to a specific Medicare population

  • To enroll in a SNP, you must have both Medicare Parts A and B, meet the requirements of the SNP, and live in the service area

  • There are SNPs that serve people in nursing homes, people with certain chronic conditions and people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles)

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are one type of Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan. These are PPOs or HMOs that only admit people with Medicare who have certain conditions such as: 

SNPs must offer the same benefits that are available under other Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans. People choose to enroll in SNPs because they typically offer more and additional services targeted to the population they serve.  

Joining a Special Needs Plan (SNP) 

To enroll in a SNP, Medicare beneficiaries must have Medicare Parts A and B, live in the SNP service area, and meet the plan’s eligibility requirements. See the eligibility requirements for SNPs. 

Each year, different types of Medicare SNPs may be available in different parts of the country. Insurance companies decide SNPs locations, benefits, and costs. Insurance companies offering Medicare SNPs can decide to join or leave Medicare annually.