Special Needs Plans and the coordination of benefits and services for dual eligibles

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a new type of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan with the potential to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services for dually eligible beneficiaries. However, experience to date suggests that SNPs have not greatly expanded the number of people enrolled in joint Medicare-Medicaid products. SNPs need to have some contractual relationship with state Medicaid plans to add value for dually eligible beneficiaries beyond traditional MA plans. Although SNP enrollment is higher in states with such a relationship than in other states, several steps are identified to further expand this market and improve coordination between SNPs and state Medicaid programs.