If you or someone you love is managing a serious chronic condition, living in a nursing facility, or juggling both Medicare and Medicaid, there's a corner of Medicare Advantage built specifically for you — and almost nobody knows it exists. In the fourth episode of the Medicare Survival Guide series, Amy sits down with Mike Cheek, President and CEO of the SNP Alliance, to demystify Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs). They break down the three types of SNPs (chronic condition, institutional, and dual-eligible), who qualifies for each, the "extra, extra" benefits that go beyond regular Medicare Advantage plans — from grocery assistance to in-home personal care — and why SNPs come with enrollment flexibility most people don't realize they have.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 – Intro & why SNPs matter

01:21 – Meet Mike Cheek, President & CEO of the SNP Alliance

02:12 – What is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan?

02:58 – The three types of SNPs: chronic condition, institutional, and dual-eligible

05:26 – C-SNP eligibility: which chronic conditions qualify

07:18 – D-SNP eligibility: partial vs. full dual (Medicare + Medicaid)

09:55 – I-SNP eligibility: nursing home and assisted living settings

11:16 – Coordinating Medicare and Medicaid benefits together

13:32 – Individualized care plans and building your own care team

16:35 – "Extra, extra" benefits: groceries, chores, housing help & more

21:23 – A word from our sponsor, Naborforce

22:34 – Enrollment periods: why SNPs don't wait for fall open enrollment

28:01 – Enrolling in a SNP as a new Medicare beneficiary

29:10 – Using Medicare Plan Finder to find plans in your area

31:01 – How common are SNPs? (and where they're hard to find)

33:38 – Getting help from your SHIP or Area Agency on Aging

34:08 – Common mistakes: choosing the right SNP for your needs

39:14 – What's next for SNPs at the federal level

41:05 – Closing thoughts

ABOUT MIKE CHEEK

Mike Cheek is President and CEO of the SNP Alliance, the national organization representing Medicare Special Needs Plans. He previously served as Senior Vice President for Reimbursement and Market Strategy at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), and as Director of Medicaid Long Term Care for the District of Columbia's Medicaid agency. Mike has also worked with three state government associations focused on Medicaid, developmental disabilities, and aging, and spent several years as a consultant at The Lewin Group and Avalere Health advising states, health plans, and long-term care providers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• SNP Alliance — https://www.snpalliance.org

• Medicare Plan Finder — https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — https://acl.gov/programs/connecting-people-services/state-health-insurance-assistance-program-ship

• Eldercare Locator / Area Agency on Aging — https://eldercare.acl.gov

This episode is brought to you by Naborforce, connecting older adults with compassionate, vetted neighbors for rides, companionship, and everyday help. Learn more at naborforce.com.

Follow How to Age Well with Amy Kaszak:

Instagram: instagram.com/howtoagewell_podcast/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amy-kaszak-6702963/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.