Want help paying for healthy foods?
Become an Aetna D-SNP member. You’ll get a monthly allowance you can use to help pay for these and other good-for-you items and services.
Your top questions about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), answered
Get answers to frequently asked questions about D-SNPs
Thinking about enrolling in a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, but still have a few questions? Good! It’s wise to work through your concerns now so you can make the best possible decisions for your health and well-being. And we’re to help you get the information you’re seeking. Keep reading for answers to top questions about D-SNPs.
What is a D-SNP?
D-SNPs are low- to no-cost health insurance plans.
D-SNP members get both Medicare and Medicaid benefits. On top of that, D-SNPs offer more coverage and benefits than Original Medicare. They are designed to help members overcome common roadblocks to well-being such as lack of access to healthy foods or reliable transportation.
What does D-SNP coverage include?
D-SNP members get the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan and Medicaid. With both plans, you could get more complete medical coverage.
That said, every D-SNP is different, so be sure to check coverage in your area. For instance, Aetna® offers D-SNPs that include benefits well beyond medical coverage, such as:
- A dedicated care team to help you understand your benefits, coordinate doctor visits, manage your medications and more
- Dental, vision and hearing coverage
- Prescription drug coverage, including a $0 copay on covered Part D drugs at in-network pharmacies
- An Extra Benefits Card with monthly allowances called “wallets”. The wallets can be used to help pay for approved items and services including healthy foods and select over-the-counter (OTC) items.
The best way to learn about D-SNP coverage is to talk to a licensed agent. They are available at 1-833-771-3597 (TTY: 711) from:
- 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week, October 1 to March 31
- 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday, April 1 to September 30
What does “dual eligible” mean and how do you qualify?
People who are dual eligible meet the requirements for both Medicare and Medicaid assistance. You must be dual eligible to qualify for a D-SNP.
Checking your D-SNP eligibility just got a lot easier
A licensed Aetna® agent can help confirm that you qualify and guide you through the enrollment process from start to finish — for free. Schedule a call with a licensed Aetna® agent today — it can’t hurt to learn more.
Can I still see my doctor if I enroll in a D-SNP?
Yes, as long as your provider is in-network. You can check before you enroll. A licensed agent can help you look up your provider. Many plans also have provider directories on their websites. Aetna has a free online tool that lets you search for in-network providers and D-SNP plans in your area.
Will the quality of my care decline?
No — and it may even get better! Aetna D-SNP networks include care providers that are dedicated to your health and well-being. Plus, the added benefits and services that come with an Aetna D-SNP make it easier to get the care and support you need to feel your best.
Will I lose my Medicaid benefits?
No, you won’t lose your Medicaid benefits. In fact, you must qualify for a Medicaid program to enroll in a D-SNP. So access to your Medicaid benefits will continue.
How much does a D-SNP cost?
D-SNPs are low- to no-cost health plans with a goal of helping you save money while getting quality care. For instance, Aetna offers D-SNPs that include dental, vision and hearing coverage as well as prescription drug coverage at no additional cost. Plus, Aetna D-SNPs include monthly allowances to help you pay for everyday items that help you stay well.
When can I enroll in an Aetna D-SNP?
You can enroll in a D-SNP at several different times throughout the year.
Here are the enrollment periods you should know about:
- Initial Enrollment Period. This is when you first become eligible for Medicare. It starts three months before your 65th birthday and continues for seven months.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The Annual Enrollment Period runs every year from October 15 to December 7.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). These are periods where you’re allowed to change health plans due to a qualifying life event. For D-SNP individuals, there are three SEPs from January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30 and July 1 to September 30.
Want to learn more about D-SNPs and becoming a member? Check out these related articles and resources to get answers and support:
If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
Aetna is a recipient of the Newsweek America’s Best Customer Service Award for 2023.*
*FOR NEWSWEEK AWARD: The 2023 Newsweek America’s Best Customer Service rankings were identified from the results of an independent survey of more than 30,000 U.S. customers who have either made purchases, used services, or gathered information about products or services in the past three years. Customers evaluated several brands: In total, over 200,000 evaluations were collected. The awarded brands each received on average 100 evaluations from customers. For more information, visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-customer-service-2023
Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our DSNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website.
Eligibility for the Model Benefit or Reward and Incentive (RI) Programs under the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model is not assured and will be determined by Aetna after enrollment, based on relevant criteria (e.g., clinical diagnoses, eligibility criteria, participation in a disease state management program.
If your plan’s Extra Benefits Card includes roll-over, any unused amount will rollover into the next month. The monthly amount can be rolled over through the end of the plan year but will not carry over into the next plan year.
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