State Contracting Strategies

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.

New federal rules released in April 2019 require that Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) must, at a minimum, coordinate the delivery of Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The final rule includes new regulatory language effective January 1, 2020 and provides examples of ways that D-SNPs should coordinate their members’ Medicare and Medicaid services.

This memo to all Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) summarizes the new calendar year (CY) 2021 requirements for Medicare-Medicaid integration. These requirements were detailed in an April 2019 CMS final rule and must be incorporated into CY 2021 contracts with states that D-SNPs are required to submit to CMS by July 6, 2020.  

This blog post looks at Idaho's Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)-based program’s structure and highlights early successes and lessons for other states. Idaho’s approach may be interesting to states that want to integrate care, but do not have Medicaid managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) programs.

This brief examines the approaches used by three states – Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee – to develop and implement information-sharing processes for their Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) that support care transitions. The brief includes examples of contract language and strategies to encourage plan collaboration and problem solving around information sharing.