Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
Health plans for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid
What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? If you’re not sure, we can help.
Medicare provides health benefits for people over age 65, as well as people younger than 65 who qualify due to a disability. Medicare is a federal program. Medicaid, on the other hand, is managed at the state level. Medicaid provides health benefits for people with low income, but the rules to qualify change from state to state.
You can have both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time
Some people have both Medicare and Medicaid. If so, they could be “dual eligible.” That’s where dual special needs plans — or “dual” plans — come in. Dual plans work together with the individual’s Medicaid plan. Dual health plans cover eligible doctor visits, hospital stays and prescription drugs. If you have Medicare and Medicaid, chances are you could qualify for a dual plan.
Dual plans offer extra benefits and features at no extra cost
Dual plans go beyond either Medicaid or Original Medicare alone. You’ll still get to keep the Medicaid benefits and have additional DSNP features with a dual plan. And better yet, with a dual plan, you could get many extra benefits and features than Original Medicare at no extra cost.
These extra benefits may include:
