A chronic special needs Medicare Advantage plan, or CSNP, is a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed for individuals with one or more specific severe or disabling chronic health conditions.
CSNPs Offer:
- Coordinated Care: CSNPs provide a dedicated care team of doctors, nurses, and care managers to coordinate your treatments and services.
- Specialized Benefits: The plans offer customized benefits and services to help you manage your specific chronic condition, focusing on improving health outcomes.
- Integrated Coverage: In addition to Original Medicare's Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, CSNPs include Part D (prescription drug) coverage.
- Provider Networks: You receive care within a specific network of doctors and hospitals that are equipped to treat your specified condition.
- Additional Services: Many CSNPs include extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing care, which are not part of standard Medicare.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You must be enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to join a CSNP.
- You must have a doctor-confirmed diagnosis of one of the specific chronic conditions approved by Medicare.
- Your chronic condition must be considered severe or disabling and put you at a high risk for hospitalization or other adverse health outcomes.
The specific conditions a C-SNP covers vary by plan and geographic location, but common examples include:
- Chronic lung disorders, such as asthma and COPD
- End-stage liver or renal disease
