Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)

Leveraging Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Models of Care to Enhance Enrollee Care Coordination

04/20/2023

This webinar will discuss strategies states can use to improve care coordination for D-SNP enrollees. It provides an overview of federal D-SNP care coordination and Model of Care (MOC) requirements, describes state options for incorporating care coordination requirements into state Medicaid agency contracts (SMACs) with D-SNPs, and/or requiring D-SNPs to incorporate state-specific information into MOCs, and discusses key considerations for states when implementing state-specific care coordination requirements.

Guidance for States Seeking to Leverage New Opportunities for Integrated Care Programs

This memorandum provides states with guidance on the process for working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP)-only contracts and develop integrated materials.

Integrated Appeal and Grievance Processes for Integrated D-SNPs with “Exclusively Aligned Enrollment”

On April 16, 2019, CMS released a final rule that implements provisions of the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) requiring greater D-SNP integration, including integrated plan-level appeal and grievance processes for certain “applicable integrated plans.” This fact sheet is intended to help states with applicable integrated plans understand the new integrated appeal and grievance processes, the types of D-SNPs that are required to use them, and steps that states can take to help ensure effective implementation of the new processes in 2021.

Proposed Addendum to the Part C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance

Public comments are requested on an addendum to the Part C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance. Commentors should use the template provided.

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) “Look-Alike” Transitions for Contract Year (CY) 2021

This memo provides information to Medicare Advantage organizations regarding the opportunity to transition enrollees in Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) “look-alikes” for CY 2021.

Contract Year 2021 Models for Applicable Integrated Plans: 'Letter about Your Right to Make a Fast Complaint' and 'Appeal Decision Letter'

This CMS memorandum describes the final Contract Year 2021 model notices for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans that are applicable integrated plans, "Letter about Your Right to Make a Fast Complaint" and "Appeal Decision Letter", which are both available in English and Spanish language versions.

Reprioritization of PACE, Medicare Parts C and D Program, and Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RACV) Audit Activities

In response to the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended non-emergency federal and state survey agency surveys. Consistent with that action, CMS is reprioritizing scheduled program audits for Medicare Advantage organizations, Part D sponsors, Medicare-Medicaid Plans, and PACE oganizations. Oversight will continue but will shift to prioritize the investigation and resolution of instances of noncompliance where the health and/or safety of beneficiaries is at risk and complaints allenging infection control concerns.

Additional Guidance on CY 2021 Medicare-Medicaid Integration Requirements for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)

This HPMS memo provides additional guidance and clarification on four topics related to new integration standards for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: (1) distinctions between fully integrated D-SNPs (FIDE SNPs) and highly integrated (HIDE SNPs); (2) permissibility of carve-outs of behavioral health services and long term services and supports (LTSS) for FIDE SNPs and HIDE SNPs; (3) alignment of D-SNP and companion Medicaid plan service areas; and (4) compliance with integration requirements for D-SNPs that only enroll partial-benefit dually eligible individuals.

Appeals and Grievances: Comparisons of Existing and New Integrated Processes for Individuals Enrolled in Applicable Integrated Plans

Beginning in 2021, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) with exclusively aligned enrollment must begin using integrated appeals and grievance processes. The flowcharts in this resource are designed to help states, health plans, and other stakeholders understand the differences between existing Medicare and Medicaid appeal and grievance processes and the new integrated appeal and grievance processes established at 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart M for fully and highly integrated D-SNPs with exclusively aligned enrollment.

Key Questions and Considerations for States Implementing New D-SNP Information-Sharing Requirements

12/16/2019

This webinar provides an update on new information-sharing requirements for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for 2021 and a review of key questions and considerations for states in working with D-SNPs to modify state contracts and develop a state-specific information-sharing approach.