As the Commission has engaged in work on improving care for dually eligible beneficiaries, a consistent theme has been how changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) market affect opportunities for integration. This presentation focuses on two aspects of that market: the rise of dual eligible special needs plan (D-SNP) look-alike plans and institutional special needs plans (I-SNPs), and changes in the ability of MA plans to offer additional supplemental benefits. The analysis draws from MA bid data and interviews with stakeholders conducted under contract by RTI International and the Center for Health Care Strategies regarding the effects of look-alike plans, I-SNPs, and changes in offering of MA supplemental benefits on integrated care efforts.
This presentation also summarizes a February MA proposed rule that would affect D-SNPs and restrict the growth of D-SNP look-alike plans, and outlines areas for potential comment.