The Big Picture: Changes in the national SNP landscape result in slightly more 2024 SNP options.
First, based on our analysis, the bad news is that about 21% of the 2023 Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) will be discontinued in 2024 – this is compared to 14% in 2023.
However, the good news is there are 539 new 2024 Medicare Advantage SNPs that will be introduced – and with these newly released SNPs, we will actually see a net 4% increase in the total nationwide 2024 SNP offerings (see section 1 below). The vast majority of SNPs remains Dual-Eligible – D-SNPs (64%). More good news, when analyzing the service area size for each 2024 SNP, a net 21% increase in plan accessibility is noted (see section 2 below).
Across the country, we will see an increase in the total number of 2024 Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs); and SNP gains in some counties will more than offset SNP losses in other areas (or even the same counties). You can see plan year 2023 to 2024 SNP gains and losses with our Medicare Advantage plan comparison tool MA-Compare found at MA-Compare.com.
(1) The types of 2024 Special Needs Plans
SNPs are divided into three major types of special need:
- Chronic Care SNPs or C-SNPs (like diabetes, heart disease, or ESRD) (more details in section 3 below),
- Dual-Eligible Medicare/Medicaid SNPs or D-SNPs (for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries), and
- Institutional SNPs or I-SNPs (for Nursing and Long-Term Care (LTC) residents).
| 2024 Special Needs Medicare Advantage Plans by Type of Special Need |
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| SNP Type | 2024 Plans | 2023 Plans | Net Change* | % Net Change | Dropped Plans* | % of '23 SNPs Dropped | 2022 Plans | 2021 Plans |
| Chronic Care | 309 | 306 | 3 | 1% | 90 | 29% | 272 | 203 |
| Dual Eligible | 851 | 789 | 62 | 8% | 124 | 16% | 700 | 598 |
| Institutional | 173 | 189 | -16 | -8% | 52 | 28% | 184 | 174 |
| Total | 1,333 | 1,284 | 49 | 4% | 266 | 21% | 1,156 | 975 |
The chart below summarizes the 2024 Special Needs Plan landscape and how the SNP landscape has changed over the past few years.
You can learn more about the 2024 SNPs available in your area by using our Medicare Advantage plan finder (MA-Finder.com/2024) or add your ZIP code to the MA-Finder.com link to see plans in your area (MA-Finder.com/2024/90001).
To get you started, here is an example of all 2024 Special Needs Plans available in Allegheny County, PA.
Please note, if you are using our MA-Finder and looking for a Dual-Eligible Medicare/Medicaid SNP (D-SNP), be sure to select "Yes" for the "Show Premium with LIS Subsidy?" to see the actual D-SNP monthly premiums for dual-eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries.
(2) Changes within the SNP county-specific landscape
When comparing SNP reach (SNP plan multiplied by counties in the plan’s service area) we see an overall increase in plan reach. There is a notable increase in the availability of dual-eligible SNPs and a small increase in the availability of both chronic care and institutional SNPs.
| 2024 Special Needs Plan Reach (plan/county combinations) by Type of Need |
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| SNP Type | 2024 | 2023 | Change '23 to '24 |
Percent Change '23 to '24 |
2022 | 2021 | 2013 |
| Chronic Care | 5,499 | 4,566 | 933 | 20% | 3,437 | 2,667 | 6,402 |
| Dual Eligible | 30,073 | 24,789 | 5,284 | 21% | 18,831 | 15,235 | 5,284 |
| Institutional | 4,137 | 3,410 | 727 | 21% | 3,122 | 2,441 | 537 |
| Total | 39,709 | 32,765 | 6,944 | 21% | 25,390 | 20,343 | 12,223 |
As noted, the vast majority (64%) of SNPs remain dual-eligible Medicare/Medicaid plans (D-SNPs). However, the number of counties across the country offering a Medicare Advantage Chronic Care C-SNP will increase by 10% and the number of counties offering an Institutional I-SNP will increase almost 17%.
| 2024 Special Needs Plan Reach (Number of unique counties where SNP type is offered) by Type of Need |
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| SNP Type | 2024 | 2023 | Change '23 to '24 |
Percent Change '23 to '24 |
| Chronic Care | 2,014 | 1,824 | 190 | 10.42% |
| Dual Eligible | 2,881 | 2,847 | 34 | 1.19% |
| Institutional | 1,806 | 1,549 | 257 | 16.59% |
When evaluating unique counties where one or more SNPs is offered, 3,018 counties will offer one or more SNP as compared to 2,961 counties in 2023 – an increase of 57 counties.
Question: In which counties can we find the most SNPs?
As in past years, the most Special Needs Plans are available within densely populated counties located in New York, Florida, and California with the highest 2024 SNP plan counts concentrated in Florida.
| Counties with the Largest Number of 2024 Special Needs Plans |
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| Locations | SNPs | |||||||
| Pinellas County, FL | 60 | |||||||
| Hillsborough County, FL | 58 | |||||||
| Pasco County, FL | 56 | |||||||
| Hernando County, FL | 54 | |||||||
| Broward County, FL | 52 | |||||||
| Orange County, FL | 52 | |||||||
| Polk County, FL | 52 | |||||||
| Miami-Dade County, FL | 51 | |||||||
| Palm Beach County, FL | 51 | |||||||
| Seminole County, FL | 49 | |||||||
| Osceola County, FL | 48 | |||||||
| Marion County, FL | 44 | |||||||
(3) A closer look at the types of 2024 Chronic Care SNPs (C-SNPs)
Medicare Advantage Chronic Care Special Needs Plans can be further divided into the type of chronic care that the plan is designed to address – and the specific types of chronic conditions addressed by the SNPs varies slightly year-to-year, with a notable increase in "Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure and Diabetes" SNPs.
| 2024 Special Needs – Chronic Care Plans Compared to the 2023 Plan Year |
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| Chronic Care | Number of SNPs | ||||
| 2024 Plans | 2023 Plans | Net Change | 2022 Plans | 2021 Plans | |
| Cardiovascular Disorders | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cardiovascular Disorders and Chronic Heart Failure | 14 | 22 | -8 | 20 | 14 |
| Cardiovascular Disorders and Diabetes | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure and Diabetes | 194 | 164 | 30 | 141 | 93 |
| Chronic and Disabling Mental Health Conditions | 0 | 2 | -2 | 5 | 3 |
| Cardiovascular Disorders or Chronic Heart Failure or Diabetes Mellitus | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 | 3 |
| Chronic Heart Failure | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 | 3 |
| Chronic Heart Failure and Diabetes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Chronic Lung Disorders | 29 | 35 | -6 | 29 | 23 |
| Dementia | 4 | 6 | -2 | 8 | 7 |
| Diabetes Mellitus | 21 | 36 | -15 | 34 | 34 |
| End-stage Renal Disease Requiring Dialysis | 32 | 23 | 9 | 17 | 9 |
| End-stage Renal Disease Requiring Dialysis or HIV/AIDS | 0 | 3 | -3 | 3 | 0 |
| HIV/AIDS | 1 | 3 | -2 | 3 | 4 |
| Total Chronic Care SNPs | 308 | 310 | -2 | 275 | 203 |
Important Reminder: A Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) is not for everyone.
Often you will find a Medicare Advantage SNP in your area that is very well-priced with feature-rich benefits and an extensive drug formulary – making the plan a very appealing coverage option.
But, please remember that you cannot join (or remain in) a Medicare Advantage SNP unless you qualify for the plan’s “Special Need” – that is, SNPs are designed for people with specific conditions, diseases, or characteristics – and you must meet (and continue to meet) the plan's "Special Need" to be eligible for enrollment.
For example, if you do not qualify for your state's Medicaid program, you will not be eligible to join a Dual-Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) SNP. For more information about qualifying for a SNP, please contact a local SHIP volunteer or telephone a Medicare representative at 1-800-Medicare.