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2008 Medicare Legislation

Medicare Modernization Act Strengthens and Extends SNPs

In July 2008, Congress enacted H.R. 6331, "The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," which became Public Law 110-275.  This legislation includes provisions for SNPs that will: 

• Stabilize and reauthorize special needs plans (SNPs) through 2010;
• Strengthen targeting of high-risk beneficiaries and specialty models of care; and
• Ensure better coordination of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for dually-eligible beneficiaries.

“H.R. 6331 represents watershed legislation with respect to Medicare specialty care,” explains Rich Bringewatt, chair of The SNP Alliance.  "It will advance the long-term viability of Special Needs Plans and pave the way for the replication of these important models of care for the neediest Medicare beneficiaries by clarifying Congressional intent regarding SNP targeting and specialization for high-risk beneficiaries."

The following are additional resources regarding SNP legislation, for your information:  

• Legislative text and a section-by-section summary for H.R. 6365, The Medicare Special Needs Plan Extension and Amendments Act of 2008.
• A side-by-side of the SNP provisions included in various Medicare bills introduced in 2008.
• One-page summaries and copies of text from H.R. 6331 , S.3101 , and S.3118.
• SNP Alliance press release upon Senate passage of H.R. 6331.