A Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is a Medicare Advantage plan for people with both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare generally pays first for Medicare-covered services and Medicaid pays last. The plan helps coordinate those benefits.

What Does a D-SNP Include?

A D-SNP includes Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, Part D prescription coverage, and care coordination. Depending on the plan and its arrangement with the state, it may also coordinate or provide certain Medicaid benefits.

Some D-SNPs do more to manage Medicare and Medicaid benefits together. These are called integrated plans, and they differ in how much they combine. Ask which benefits, cards, provider networks, and member services work together.

Who Can Join?

You generally need:

  • Medicare Part A and Part B
  • Medicaid eligibility that matches the plan's requirements
  • Residence in the plan's service area

Full Medicaid benefits are different from help with Medicare costs through a Medicare Savings Program. Some D-SNPs accept people with this more limited help. Others require full Medicaid or a specific arrangement combining benefits. Check the category on your state notice and ask whether the plan accepts it. Do not assume a Medicare Savings Program gives you every Medicaid benefit.

What Should You Check?

Confirm that the plan includes your doctors, specialists, hospital, providers of long-term care, pharmacy, and medications. Ask how transportation, dental, vision, benefits for nonprescription items, food, or help coordinating care work; many have limits and eligibility rules.

People with full Medicaid benefits may have additional opportunities to join or switch an integrated D-SNP when one is available. Enrollment rules can change with Medicaid status.

For a service you rely on, such as rides to dialysis, ask who arranges it, how far ahead to book, which trips qualify, and whom to call if the ride fails. A combined plan name or card does not answer those questions.

Medicare policy sources last checked: October 8, 2026.