by Disability Linkage Line
Staff
What is this Special Needs
Basic Care?
The Minnesota Department of
Human Services (DHS) has developed a NEW managed care option for
people with disabilities ages 18-64 called Special Needs Basic Care
(SNBC). This new option integrates Medicare and Medical Assistance
(MA) primary and acute services. It will also include Medicare- and
MA-covered prescription drugs, MA-covered over-the-counter medications,
and most MA mental health services.
SNBC will NOT include major long-term care services such as home-care
waivers, county case management and Personal Care Assistance (PCA).
These services will remain covered under fee-for-service.
DHS has contracted with
seven Minnesota-based nonprofit health plans to provide SNBC services
in 83 counties, beginning this month. Most counties have more than
one plan option to choose from.
Who qualifies and do I have
to join?
All enrollment is VOLUNTARY:
people can enroll and disenroll monthly. To qualify you must:
• be 18 to 64 years old
• receive MA, with or without Medicare
• be certified disabled by the Social Security Administration,
State Medical Review Team; or be receiving DD waivered services
• live in a county that is part of the SNBC service area
If I enroll what are the benefits?
• You will need only
ONE card to get services for both MA and Medicare, including prescription
drugs.
• MA co-pays are waived. This includes office visits,
eyeglasses and Medical assistance drugs. –Medicare Part D copays
will remain.
• All plans provide care coordination, case management or navigation
assistance.
• All plans provide access to primary and preventive care, as
well as direct access to specialty care.
• Some plans also provide additional benefits such as enhanced
dental care, fitness programs, transportation, and extra eyeglasses
or wheelchair seat cushions.
• You can stay with the same agency and case manager for your
community-based services, residential home or personal care. These
services are not affected if you join this program.
How do I learn more?
Both DHS
and contracted health plans will be sending information to all
people with disabilities on Medical Assistance about the SNBC options
in their service area later in January. Plans may differ in their
care coordination models, provider networks, Part D formularies and
additional benefits provided. You will want to make sure the providers
and prescriptions you need are covered. For additional information
and help weighing your choices, contact the Disability Linkage Line
at 1-866-333-2466. ![]()
The Disability Linkage
Line (DLL), 1-866-333-2466, provides free, disability-related information
and assistance for Minnesotans (Monday through Friday from 8:30
a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). DLL does not endorse any particular Web
site or provider. They assume no responsibility for transactions
between the readers of this article and listed organizations.
