In 2006, Congress created a new type of Medicare Advantage coordinated care plan focused on individuals with special needs. End Stage Renal Disease patients are eligible for this form of coverage through Special Needs Plans (SNPs). SNPs are designed to target a specific group of individuals for enrollment and create special clinical programs to accommodate groups with distinct health care needs. The goals of SNPs are to improve the quality of care by reducing hospitalizations and institutionalizations while reducing costs. However, SNPs may or may not be the right choice for all ESRD patients. 1

DPC supports the ability of dialysis patients to choose among coverage options when it comes to their dialysis care. DPC believes that before eligible patients choose to enroll in an ESRD SNP, they should have access to education on the benefits and pitfalls of joining a SNP. Although ESRD SNPs are not for everyone, all dialysis patients should have the option to enroll in an ESRD SNP if they feel it is best for their care.

1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SpecialNeedsPlans/Downloads/FSNPFACT.pdf. December 2007.