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: 

• Individuals that are formally diagnosed with serious and disabling chronic medical conditions; or 
• People who have both Medicaid and Medicare; or 
• People who reside in nursing homes, or who reside at home but have high care needs and could qualify for a nursing home. 

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.