For those who find it challenging to afford healthy food, they are not alone. Many Americans face difficult choices when it comes to paying for basic necessities. Those decisions can include whether to pay a utility bill, rent, or spend money on groceries. That’s especially true for older adults who rely on food assistance from the government’s program known as SNAP.
The amount of emergency food assistance provided in the early years of the pandemic through the SNAP program was recently reduced. This cut in food assistance has added to financial pressures that can drive people to buy cheaper, less nutritious food that may fill them up, but is not good for their health.
Not eating enough healthy food can cause or worsen health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and depression. It can also reduce energy levels, making people less able to engage in regular daily activities. For older people who have ongoing health problems, not having a nutritious diet is particularly harmful to their well-being.
Getting Food Assistance and More from a Health Plan
A recent Humana study found that 80% of dual-eligible beneficiaries report having at least one health-related social need, such as food insecurity, housing instability or transportation issues.
The good news is that many individuals in need may be able to find some relief through certain health insurance plans. Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs, are available to people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. These are special Medicare Advantage plans offered in many states through private insurance companies, like Humana. D-SNPs provide coverage for the usual Medicare benefits such as hospitalizations, outpatient medical services and prescription drugs. Some plans also offer additional benefits that include food allowances. For instance, Humana’s Healthy Options Allowance gives its D-SNP members between $35-$275 a month, which comes to $420-$3,300 a year, depending on the plan and where they live. This allowance can be used to purchase healthy foods or pay for other essentials such as rent and utility bills.
To help D-SNP members with the health and social services they need, Humana’s care team assists with coordinating medical appointments and insurance benefits. The team also connects members with community resources that can help provide transportation, food and housing assistance, and other social support services.
Another advantage is that D-SNPs offer health benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Those include routine dental, hearing and vision care that are important for overall health and independence. What’s more, there are little to no out-of-pocket costs for these plans, although most Medicare members will need to continue to pay a monthly Part B premium.
How and When to Enroll in a D-SNP
To be eligible to enroll in a D-SNP, individuals must:
- Be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and B
- Have Medicaid coverage
- Make sure their state Medicaid program has their correct contact information (be sure to check if they need to reapply to Medicaid to maintain coverage now that the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended).
There are multiple times during the year when individuals can enroll in a D-SNP:
- Those about to turn 65 can sign up for enrollment three months before or after their birthday month. For instance, if their birthday is in September, they have the flexibility to enroll anytime between June 1 and December 31.
- Every year, there is an opportunity to enroll or make changes to plans from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). If already enrolled in a D-SNP, they can switch plans during this period. The new plan or updated D-SNP coverage will start on Jan. 1 of the following year.
- There are additional occasions when individuals can enroll in a D-SNP or switch plans based on specific situations. Some examples are: if they move and their current plan no longer covers them, if they become eligible for Medicaid, or if their current plan becomes unavailable.
If you or a family member/friend is in need of a health plan that can help them pay for healthy foods and other basic necessities in addition to helping cover medical care, visit the Humana website to find out more about D-SNPs.
About Humana
Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
Additional Information
Humana is a Coordinated Care HMO SNP, PPO SNP plan with a Medicare contract and contracts with the Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Wisconsin Medicaid programs. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Allowance amounts cannot be combined with other benefit allowances. Limitations and restrictions may apply.
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