What are Medicare I-SNPs?
Needing specialized care in a facility isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but there are circumstances that require it. In some cases, you may need an extended stay to help treat or recover from an illness. Without coverage, the costs for a stay like this can quickly add up. However, if you’re expecting an extended stay at a care facility, you may fit the requirements for an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP). These special needs plans (SNPs) are specifically organized to help beneficiaries afford longer inpatient stays.
What are Institutional Special Needs Plans?
I-SNPs are special needs plans that center coverage around services at a qualified care facility. This can include skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, or other forms of long-term care facilities.
While I-SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans, they must fulfill two conditions to qualify as special needs plans. First, there must be an approved method to determine institutional level of care based on state assessment tools. A determination method from the state where the I-SNP is authorized may also be used if that state doesn’t have tools already. The other condition is that this assessment must be administered by an independent third party. This third party may not be owned or controlled by the I-SNP and must have the relevant knowledge to accurately complete the assessment.
This may include preventive medicine, medications, and other services as part of your inpatient care.
I-SNPs must cover everything Original Medicare covers but may have additional benefits. In fact, I-SNPs satisfy many of the costs associated with your specific needs. This may include vaccines and preventive medicine, prescription medications associated with your care and treatment, durable medical equipment, mental health services, and other health care services you receive while under inpatient care. As part of your coverage, I-SNPs must also provide a model of care to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that explains how the facility will meet your medical needs.
Who Qualifies for I-SNPs?
Not everyone who can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan qualifies for an I-SNP. Luckily, they have a pretty low bar to qualify for enrollment compared to some other SNPs. Most of the time, you’ll become eligible for an I-SNP by requiring long term care at a facility for 90 days or more.
To become eligible for an I-SNP early, it must be determined that your case will require at least 90 days of care.
This isn’t the only way to receive coverage from an I-SNP, though. To become eligible early, it must be determined that your case will require at least 90 days of care through a needs-assessment. This assessment is pre-approved by CMS and takes a professional look at your situation to determine the level of care needed.
If you qualify for an I-SNP, enrolling in it is just like enrolling in another type of Medicare Advantage plan. You can contact the plan directly or by using a plan finder to explore your options.
What is an IE-SNP?
Not everyone who requires long-term or specialized care stay in a qualified care facility. Many people are now choosing to remain in their homes. This doesn’t mean you no longer qualify for an I-SNP. Instead, you may be eligible for an Institutional Equivalent SNP (IE-SNP). This is a specific type of I-SNP for these special cases.
Once you’re declared eligible and enrolled, your plan should cover many of the services an I-SNP covers with a focus on preventive care.
Furthermore, to receive coverage from an IE-SNP, a beneficiary must undergo a needs-assessment to show that they require institutional level care. This assessment follows the same requirements as the I-SNP assessment, meaning it must use state assessment tools or an equivalent set and be conducted by an independent third party. Once you’re declared eligible and enrolled, your plan should take care of many of the services an I-SNP covers with a focus on preventive care that reduces the need for inpatient or emergency care.
● ● ●
Whether you’re receiving institutional care at a specialized facility or in your own home, you may be eligible for a special needs plan if your condition requires it for an extended period of time. Enrolling in an I-SNP gives beneficiaries the opportunity to have many of these services covered so they can start focusing on getting better.
Featured Blogs
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?
- Using Za'atar in Your Cooking
- Dealing with Canceled Flights
- Protecting Your Vacation from Flight Disruptions
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Medicare Coverage?
- Which is Better: A Bath or Shower?
- Are Weight Loss Medications Healthy?
- Healthy Strategies for Anger Management
- The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- The Difference Between Common Cooking Papers and Foils
- What are Medicare I-SNPs?
- Identifying Toxic Relationships in Your Life
- Healthy Ways to Spice Up Your Water
- All About Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
- Medicareful Travels: A Senior Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts
- Does Medicare Cover Occupational Therapy?
- Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way
- Which is Better: Natural or Artificial Sweeteners?
- Tips for Vacationing with Pets
- Is It Better to Work Out Harder or Longer?
- Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
- Are Medicare Part B Giveback Plans Worth It?
- Introducing the Medicareful Living Family Cookbook!
- Medicare Coverage for Treatment of PTSD
- The Causes and Treatments of Nasal Congestion
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Spring Rolls
- Medicare Freezes Late Enrollment Penalties for Qualifying Enrollees
- What is a 5-Star Medicare Plan?
- What is PTSD?
- What is Inflammation?
- What You Should Know When Buying Cast Iron Cookware
- Does Medicare Cover STIs?
- The Different Types of Potatoes & When to Use Them
- Does Medicare Cover HIV Screenings and Treatment?
- Gun Safety Rules for Seniors
- 3 Surprising Ways to Feel Better When You're Sad
- Can Your Knee Really Predict the Weather?
- What are Federally Qualified Health Centers?
- Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Treatment?
- The Health Benefits of Cumin
- How to Make Dried Herbs at Home
- The Dangers of Toxic Positivity
- Which is Better: Fresh or Frozen Meat?
- COVID Tests to be Covered by Medicare
- Important Terms and Tips When Reading a Health Article or Study
- Do These 3 Most Common Natural Supplements Actually Work?
- What are State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs?
- The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
- The Difference of Cooking with Fresh and Dry Herbs
- Dangers of a Cold Home for Seniors
- Measuring Your Health Apart from Weight Loss
- Using Cumin in Your Cooking
- This Year, Focus on Health, Not Weight
- Does Medicare Cover Respite Care?
- Health Benefits of Gift-Giving
- How to Make Homemade Candy Canes
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Classic Christmas Tree Decorations
- 3 Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Cooking for Beginners: Frying Tips
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Hanukkah Traditions
- The Value of Family Recipes
- What Does It Mean to be a Caregiver?
- Here’s What Medicare Costs in 2022
- Can I Prevent Aneurysms or Ruptures?
- How Can I Trust My Insurance Agent Has My Best Interests at Heart?
- Using Chinese Five Spice in Your Cooking
- What You Should Know About the COVID Booster
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2021
- What Does MACRA Mean for You?
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Homemade Lobster Ravioli
- Reading and Understanding Your Blood Pressure
- How to Be a Snowbird in Retirement (18 Questions to Ask!)
- Learn the Basics of Medicare | Medicare Basics
- Understanding Medicare Part D’s True Out-of-Pocket Limit