Background

Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans serve a crucial role in providing quality care to some of the sickest and frailest populations of Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom have complex, co-morbid medical conditions, disabilities and behavioral health conditions. In addition, many of ACAP’s safety net health plans play a particularly unique role in serving the dual eligible population through the SNP program.

ACAP Position and Legislative Action

ACAP strongly supported the extension of the SNP program through 2013 that Congress authorized as part of health care reform. Long term reauthorization of the SNP program will provide stability for beneficiaries, state governments, and health plans and help provide needed continuity of care and care coordination, especially for the dual eligible population.

ACAP also continues to support refining risk adjustment and payment system for quality improvements to reflect differences in population. SNP populations are often vastly different than ordinary Medicare Advantage populations and it is important for quality measures and risk adjustment to reflect that in order to ensure that the high-risk populations served by SNPs continue to receive coordinated quality care.

ACAP Documents Relating to SNP Reauthorization