AHIP Urges Congress to Extend SNP Program

The neediest Medicare beneficiaries can’t live without Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNP).

That’s the message America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) delivered recently in a Capital Hill briefing. AHIP is urging Congress to extend the SNP program beyond 2009 and remove the current moratorium on new SNPs and service areas. If Congress does these things, beneficiaries with special needs will continue to have access to plans that are tailored to meet their specific issues.

“Many chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries rely on Special Needs Plans to get the coordinated, specialized health care they need,” said Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP.

Special Needs Plans serve the most vulnerable Medicare populations, such as those who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, those with severe and disabling chronic conditions, and nursing home residents. The plans provide extra benefits and targeted services, such as:

• Tailored care management and collaboration with providers.
• Dental and vision benefits.
• Reduced cost-sharing for prescription drugs and specialized services.
• Integrated mental and behavioral health treatment.
• Personal counseling services.
• Access to local social services.