Why More People Are Enrolling in Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
Key Takeaways
- Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP or CSNP) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for people with specific medical conditions.
- CSNP enrollment reached 1.1 million people as of February 2025, increasing more than 67% over the previous year.
- The causes of higher enrollment include changes in Medicare regulations, the market for plans, and benefits.
- If you’re on Medicare and have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, you can use a Special Enrollment Period to join a C-SNP at any time.
More people than ever are joining Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (CSNPs or C-SNPs), a type of Medicare Advantage plan for people with complex healthcare needs. An analysis from Modern Healthcare found that total CSNP enrollment reached 1.1 million people as of February 2025, an increase of more than 67% over the previous year.
The growth of C-SNPs could provide options for consumers who are interested in coverage for coordinated care and additional benefits. Let’s explore why these plans are becoming a bigger part of the Medicare Advantage market.
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Understanding Special Needs Plans
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans created to serve people who meet specific eligibility requirements. First offered by private insurance carriers in 2008, the number of SNPs available across the U.S. has more than doubled since 2018. As of 2025, there were 1,445 SNPs nationwide, insuring over 7 million people.
Like other Medicare Advantage plans, SNPs must at least match the coverage provided by the federally administered Original Medicare program (Medicare Part A and Part B) and may feature additional benefits. At minimum, all SNPs include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Other benefits and details vary by plan, and availability depends on where you live. To get the most out of your coverage through a SNP, you must visit doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies in your plan’s provider network.
There are three types of SNPs currently available:
- A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) offers coordinated care within a provider network to manage a chronic condition. Covered drugs can include a range of medications commonly prescribed for the condition, and plans may feature a variety of additional benefits.
- A Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) covers people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, which is a separate health insurance program for people with low incomes and limited financial resources. A D-SNP can make healthcare more affordable with lower out-of-pocket costs and other benefits.
- An Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP) is for patients who require the level of care provided in an institution like a nursing home or long-term care hospital for 90 days or more.
D-SNPs are the most common option, accounting for 63% of all available SNPs and covering nearly 6 million people in 2025. Yet, C-SNPs are growing fast and may be an increasingly popular alternative.
Why CSNP Enrollment Is Accelerating
Changes in the market for Medicare Advantage plans, in regulations, and in plan benefits all contributed to 2025’s rising CSNP enrollment figures.
Modern Healthcare reports that a major driving factor is the competition among insurance carriers to enroll consumers in their plans. As more companies offer D-SNPs, certain insurers are shifting toward also serving the large population of Medicare-eligible adults who struggle with the costs of treating one or more chronic illnesses. These companies have launched new plans to serve people with a wider variety of conditions as well as added benefits to existing plans.
The majority of C-SNPs have always been for diabetes, heart disease, and lung conditions. But a growing number of carriers are debuting C-SNPs for people with end-stage renal disease, mental health conditions, and more, making the plans accessible to a broader range of consumers.
A related shift in the Medicare market is the end of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. This approach to Medicare Advantage plans was tested by the federal government as a way to improve care for people with low incomes, such as dual-eligible enrollees. This model helped Medicare Advantage plans, including many D-SNPs, offer additional benefits like lower costs for prescription drugs.
The VBID model proved too expensive for Medicare and will no longer be available in 2026. As a result, D-SNP plans may have diminished benefits that could motivate members to switch to C-SNPs.
Medicare Advantage plans are still able to offer more robust benefits to people with chronic conditions, known as Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). These benefits differ by plan, but a C-SNP could be a way to access help with maintaining a healthier life.
Ready for a new Medicare Advantage plan?
CSNP Enrollment Periods
If you’re interested in a C-SNP, you may have several opportunities to switch to a plan that fits your medical needs.
- Initial Enrollment Period: The first chance to join any Medicare Advantage plan is during your Initial Enrollment Period, which for most people lasts for seven months around the month when you turn 65. After you have enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you have the option to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurance carrier.
- Annual Enrollment Period: From October 15 to December 7, you can make changes in your Medicare coverage such as joining a Medicare Advantage plan or switching from one plan to another.
- Special Enrollment Period: If you’re on Medicare and have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to join a relevant C-SNP available in your area at any time.
To complete enrollment in a C-SNP, your qualifying conditions must be verified by a doctor. The insurance carrier provides a form stating that you have one or more chronic conditions, which must be completed by either your primary healthcare provider or a specialist. You may also need to fill in some information and give permission for the doctor’s office to share medical details.
The Medicare Advantage landscape is going through big changes that will affect plan availability and benefits. For many people with chronic conditions, it could be a good time to enroll in a C-SNP. Talk to a licensed insurance agent to learn about the plans offered in your area and whether a C-SNP is right for your needs.