WEBVTT 00:00:04.972 --> 00:00:07.083 When making your Medicare coverage selections, 00:00:07.107 --> 00:00:09.543 you may have more choices than you think. 00:00:09.962 --> 00:00:12.713 Special needs plans can offer you extra health care coverage. 00:00:13.213 --> 00:00:15.915 Two of the most common ones are dual eligible plans 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:17.594 and chronic condition plans. 00:00:17.718 --> 00:00:19.353 We'll talk about those more in a minute. 00:00:19.586 --> 00:00:22.222 But first, what exactly are special needs plans 00:00:22.256 --> 00:00:24.073 and who is qualified for them? 00:00:24.424 --> 00:00:25.424 Let's find out. 00:00:25.959 --> 00:00:28.471 Special needs plans are Medicare Advantage plans 00:00:28.495 --> 00:00:31.808 specifically designed to cover the cost of care and benefits 00:00:31.832 --> 00:00:35.011 needed for specific groups of people with unique health care needs 00:00:35.213 --> 00:00:36.377 and challenges. 00:00:36.637 --> 00:00:38.056 You might be wondering, 00:00:38.081 --> 00:00:41.722 what sets special needs plans apart from other Medicare plans? 00:00:42.075 --> 00:00:43.453 The difference is that 00:00:43.477 --> 00:00:46.789 special needs plans offer specific coverage and services 00:00:46.813 --> 00:00:48.901 based on your unique situation. 00:00:49.483 --> 00:00:53.237 From help with healthy food options to reliable transportation, 00:00:53.387 --> 00:00:55.851 these plans are designed to complement the care 00:00:55.875 --> 00:00:58.392 you are getting from your doctor and care team. 00:00:58.892 --> 00:01:00.937 Check with a local licensed insurance agent 00:01:00.961 --> 00:01:03.587 on what services are available in your area. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:10.313 Special needs plans also offer extra help and resources 00:01:10.337 --> 00:01:13.040 to make getting the care you need easier for you. 00:01:13.574 --> 00:01:16.352 People facing unique challenges may need more services 00:01:16.376 --> 00:01:19.613 and have to jump through more hoops in their health care journey. 00:01:20.113 --> 00:01:23.350 They often have built-in support to act as an advocate 00:01:23.383 --> 00:01:25.986 and help you get the care and services you need. 00:01:26.253 --> 00:01:28.902 Plus, special needs plans offer 00:01:28.941 --> 00:01:31.465 benefits not covered by original Medicare 00:01:31.675 --> 00:01:33.543 or other Medicare Advantage plans. 00:01:33.894 --> 00:01:36.739 And you can tap into specialized doctors and care teams 00:01:36.763 --> 00:01:40.731 who have expertise in caring for specific health issues 00:01:41.052 --> 00:01:42.777 or who have experience working with people 00:01:42.802 --> 00:01:45.072 who are on both Medicare and Medicaid. 00:01:45.772 --> 00:01:48.325 There are several types of special needs plans out there, 00:01:48.375 --> 00:01:50.396 but again, two of the most popular 00:01:50.420 --> 00:01:53.146 are dual eligible plans and chronic condition plans. 00:01:55.883 --> 00:01:59.329 Dual eligible plans are designed for people who qualify 00:01:59.353 --> 00:02:01.421 for both Medicare and Medicaid. 00:02:01.889 --> 00:02:04.051 These plans are specifically meant for people 00:02:04.075 --> 00:02:07.512 who may be facing challenges that come with a lower income. 00:02:07.861 --> 00:02:09.931 Things like a lack of healthy food, 00:02:09.967 --> 00:02:11.000 housing, 00:02:11.037 --> 00:02:12.799 or reliable transportation. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:14.868 By addressing these basic needs, 00:02:14.935 --> 00:02:17.514 it becomes easier to take the next healthy steps 00:02:17.538 --> 00:02:19.540 toward living a better life. 00:02:21.742 --> 00:02:23.477 Chronic condition plans are designed 00:02:23.510 --> 00:02:26.069 for people who have long-term health conditions, 00:02:26.093 --> 00:02:29.757 like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, 00:02:29.857 --> 00:02:31.287 and other health concerns. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:34.919 These plans offer specialized care management programs 00:02:34.944 --> 00:02:37.547 and services to help you better care for your issue. 00:02:39.693 --> 00:02:42.043 By taking charge of your chronic condition, 00:02:42.081 --> 00:02:44.464 you open the door to living your healthiest life. 00:02:46.967 --> 00:02:50.913 There are also several other types of special needs plans available, 00:02:50.937 --> 00:02:53.875 including plans for people with mental health issues 00:02:53.907 --> 00:02:55.872 or developmental disabilities, 00:02:55.958 --> 00:02:57.887 and institutional special needs plans 00:02:57.911 --> 00:02:59.589 for those living in nursing homes 00:02:59.613 --> 00:03:01.815 and with HIV and AIDS. 00:03:02.530 --> 00:03:03.646 At Optum, 00:03:03.756 --> 00:03:05.161 our doctors and care teams 00:03:05.185 --> 00:03:07.777 serve people with special needs plans every day. 00:03:08.188 --> 00:03:11.605 We work with specialists that have been proven to offer the best care. 00:03:12.092 --> 00:03:15.229 They are measured by the quality of care that they offer patients. 00:03:15.562 --> 00:03:18.308 And we have the built-in support to help people with health 00:03:18.332 --> 00:03:22.169 and life challenges not just get by, but truly live well. 00:03:22.898 --> 00:03:23.905 Clearly, 00:03:24.214 --> 00:03:26.749 special needs plans offer an amazing opportunity 00:03:26.773 --> 00:03:27.944 to get the care, 00:03:28.206 --> 00:03:30.186 support and services you might need 00:03:30.210 --> 00:03:33.447 if you're facing a specific health or life challenge. 00:03:33.947 --> 00:03:35.825 So, what should your first steps be 00:03:35.849 --> 00:03:37.985 to explore your special needs plan choices? 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:40.254 It's simpler than you might think. 00:03:40.754 --> 00:03:43.157 Just talk to a licensed insurance agent. 00:03:43.223 --> 00:03:45.368 They can help you find the special needs plans 00:03:45.392 --> 00:03:46.894 that you might qualify for. 00:03:47.394 --> 00:03:48.795 And just as importantly, 00:03:48.829 --> 00:03:51.698 help you find plans that our doctors accept. 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:52.923 Thank you for watching.