Browse Dual Special Needs plans
What is a Dual Special Needs plan?
A Special Needs plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage plan designed to provide targeted care for qualified individuals. A Dual Special Needs plan (D-SNP) is for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. It combines Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, plus Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and support to help coordinate benefits with Medicaid.
What does a D-SNP cover?
D-SNPs can offer extra Medicare benefits. These may include:
- Dental, vision and hearing coverage
- Personalized care coordination
- Telehealth options such as virtual doctor visits
- Credits to buy health products
- Transportation assistance
Who should choose a D-SNP?
A D-SNP may be right for you if...
- You have Medicare and Medicaid
- You need help to coordinate your care
- You want extra benefits along with what you receive from Medicaid
It may not be right if...
- You qualify for either Medicare or Medicaid but not both
- You live outside an eligible plan coverage area
- Another plan type, such as a Chronic Special Needs plan, better fits your needs
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
You may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid based on your health and income level, and receive benefits from both. People who are dual eligible can often qualify for a D-SNP.
What other Special Needs plans are available?
Chronic Special Needs plans (C-SNPs)
These plans are designed to help people manage severe or disabling long-term health conditions. UnitedHealthcare offers C-SNPs for people with diabetes, chronic heart failure and/or cardiovascular disorders.
Institutional Special Needs plans (I-SNPs)
These plans are for qualified individuals living in a care facility like a nursing home. An Institutional-Equivalent Special Needs plan (IE-SNP) is for someone who needs the same nursing home level of care, but can live either at home or in a contracted assisted living facility. This is still considered an I-SNP.
How much does a D-SNP cost?
The cost of a D-SNP will depend on the plan you choose and on your level of Medicaid eligibility. Financial support from Medicaid helps cover out-of-pocket costs for expenses like premiums, copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Why choose a D-SNP with UnitedHealthcare?
Get more of what matters
If you have Medicare and Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete is coverage you can count on. We’re America’s most chosen brand for Dual Special Needs plans,1 with coverage 4 out of 5 members recommend.2 A Dual Complete plan helps you get more of the extras you want, along with what you will receive from Medicaid.
Some of the benefits on a Dual Special Needs plan may also be available from a state Medicaid program or a managed Medicaid plan.
Who can enroll in a D-SNP?
You can enroll in a Dual Eligible Special Needs plan (D-SNP) if you are enrolled in both Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicaid through your state. This combination is known as dual eligibility, and it determines the type of D-SNPs you may qualify for.
There are two levels of dual eligibility:
Full dual eligibility: You receive both Medicare and full Medicaid benefits through your state and/or a managed care organization. Medicare covers most of your health care services, while Medicaid helps pay for out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and premiums.
Partial dual eligibility: You receive extra help from a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) managed by your state’s Medicaid program, which helps cover certain Medicare costs but does not provide full Medicaid medical benefits.
Important: Not all D-SNPs accept individuals with partial dual eligibility. Some plans are only available to those with full dual eligibility. Be sure to check the specific eligibility requirements of the plan before enrolling.
How do I know if I'm eligible?
Is a UnitedHealthcare D-SNP available where I live?
How do I enroll in a D-SNP?
You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Dual Special Needs plan on the phone or with an agent. You can also enroll in some plans online. You need to have both Medicare and Medicaid to qualify for a D-SNP. For more information about Special Needs plans, visit Medicare Made Clear®.
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Footnotes
Benefits, features and/or devices may vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply.
1 Most chosen based on total D-SNP plan enrollment from CMS Enrollment Data, May 2024.
2 Member recommendations based on Human8, May 2024.
3 Dual Special Needs plans have a $0 premium for members with Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) from Medicare.
4 OTC and healthy food benefits have expiration timeframes. Call your plan or review your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information. Eligibility for the healthy food benefit under the Value-Based Insurance Design model is limited to members with Extra Help and will be determined after enrollment. For TN only: The healthy food benefit is a special supplemental benefit only available to chronically ill enrollees with a qualifying condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic and disabling mental health conditions, diabetes and/or cardiovascular disorders, and who also meet all applicable plan coverage criteria. There may be other qualified conditions not listed. Contact us for details.
5 Provider network may vary by local market. Provider network size based on Zelis Network360, May 2024.
6 Reward offerings may vary by plan and are not available in all plans. Reward program Terms of Service apply.
7 Virtual visits may require video-enabled smartphone or other device. Not for use in emergencies. Not all network providers offer virtual care.
8 The Right Plan Promise® is our commitment to provide you with tools and agent/producer support to help you find a plan in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare plan portfolio that meets your needs. It is not a guarantee that UnitedHealthcare offers a plan that meets the needs of every consumer. Plan recommendations are based on the information that you provide regarding your health coverage needs. Requests to disenroll or change plans remain subject to applicable Medicare regulations and Federal and state laws/regulations.