States can use contracts with Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) to support access to behavioral health services for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. 

Background 

People dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid have a high prevalence of behavioral health needs. However, lack of coordination between Medicare and Medicaid benefits, as well as siloing of physical and behavioral health care services can prevent this population from receiving needed behavioral health care. D-SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans specifically designed to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible individuals. States can leverage their State Medicaid Agency Contracts with D-SNPs to support physical and behavioral health care integration for dually eligible members.  

About This Tool 

This tip sheet for state Medicaid agencies describes six strategies for contracting with D-SNPs to support coordination and integration of behavioral health and physical health care services. States may consider requiring D-SNPs to: (1) include behavioral health care training requirements for care coordinators and other providers; (2) include individuals with behavioral health care expertise in interdisciplinary care teams; 3) include behavioral health-related questions in health risk assessments; (4) develop approaches for addressing behavioral health crises; (5) support members in identifying behavioral health care providers; and (6) enhance data sharing and integration.  

Policy/Program Takeaways 

States have a variety of contract levers for enhancing access to behavioral health care services for people served by D-SNPs.