Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) for people with disabilities

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Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) is a voluntary managed care program for people with disabilities ages 18 through 64 who have Medical Assistance. Enrollees may have a care coordinator or navigator to help them get health care and support services. SNBC health plans coordinate with other payers including Medicare Parts A, B and D coverage for enrollees who have that coverage.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, people with disabilities under age 65 who have Medical Assistance fee-for-service coverage will be asked to enroll in an SNBC health plan for their health care. Some people may be excluded. Anyone can choose not to enroll and to stay in fee-for-service. Clients and stakeholders will have opportunities to provide input on the implementation at various public meetings. Details about the SNBC program expansion and public meetings are available online.

This program is available in most counties. It is administered by DHS and health plans under contract (PDF).

Covered services

This is a summary of services covered by SNBC.

SNBC health plans

UCare plan will change to Medical Assistance only in 2012

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, UCare’s SNBC plan, known as UCare Connect, will no longer integrate Medicare benefits. People who have both Medicare and Medical Assistance may stay in UCare Connect, but they will need to choose another way to get their Medicare coverage, including Part D drug coverage. UCare mailed letters in late September 2011 to current members explaining this change.

Guide to SNBC health plan enrollment

This 2012 guide (PDF) provides information about SNBC benefits and things to think about when choosing a health plan. This rights notice (PDF) explains enrollee’s rights and responsibilities.

This document provides instruction on the role of guardians (PDF) in making health plan choices for State wards.

SNBC health plan choices

Different health plans are available in different counties. The map of SNBC health plans by county is available in black and white (PDF) (DHS-5218A) or color (PDF) (DHS-5218)

This side-by-side comparison of key 2012 SNBC plan features (PDF) may also be helpful. This document is used by the Linkage Line and advocacy organizations to help people understand the choices available under SNBC.

Questions?

If you have questions about your SNBC health plan choices or enrolling, call the Disability Linkage Line^® at 1-866-333-2466.

If you have questions about SNBC health care providers or services, contact the SNBC health plans.

Advisory committee

For information on the Advisory Committee on Managed Care for People with Disabilities or the meeting schedule, call (651) 431-2514 or sign up to receive e-mail notices. The advisory committee is overseeing the SNBC program expansion.

SNBC research and policy

Related information and sites