SNBC Options Counseling & Roles
How to help callers compare SNBC plans, what options counseling covers, and the roles of the Hub, lead agencies, and health plans.
Roles, Referrals & Options Counseling
Can you help me compare SNBC plans and figure out what to do next?
Purpose
Use when providing SNBC options counseling, explaining roles, or making referrals.
Q & A
Q: What is the Disability Hub OC role for SNBC?
A:
Options Counselors review current benefits, provide options counseling, explain how to enroll or opt out, and guide next steps, including warm transfers when needed.
Q: Who verifies system exclusions and benefit status?
A:
The DSD team verifies current benefits and informs the Hub of any exclusion codes in state systems.
Q: Who processes SNBC Choice Forms and enrollment decisions?
A:
DHS Managed Care processes SNBC Choice Forms and approves or denies enrollments.
Q: When should I refer someone to the Managed Care Ombudsman?
A:
Refer when someone needs help accessing healthcare services, addressing billing concerns, or when plan support is not resolving care issues.
Q: What steps should OCs follow for SNBC options counseling?
A:
- Review current benefits using MNITS Look Up and BLU
- Explain SNBC vs FFS and I-SNBC vs SNBC NI if Medicare applies
- Review local plan options, provider networks, and formularies
- Support the person’s decision and next steps (form submission or warm transfer)
Q: What should I check in MNITS or BLU during step one?
A:
- MA type
- Spenddown type
- Whether MA is ending
- Exclusion codes
- Current SNBC enrollment (MA 37 / MA 17)
- Current or future integrated plan enrollment
- Third-party cost-effective insurance
Q: What plan details should I verify when reviewing options?
A:
Provider network coverage for necessary providers and whether prescriptions are covered, including Part D interactions for Medicare enrollees.
Q: What are transition services if a provider is out of network after a plan change?
A:
All plans provide transition services to maintain continuity of care.
Help the person contact their SNBC plan to request transition services.
Q: What should I do if the plan cannot resolve transition needs?
A:
Refer the person to the Managed Care Ombudsman.
Q: How do I find out how care coordinators are assigned or what they do?
A:
Contact the specific SNBC plan to learn about that plan’s care coordination model.
Referrals & Resources
- SNBC Plan Directory (DHS)
- SNBC Health Plan Choices by County map
- Managed Care Summary of Coverage
- Managed Care Ombudsman
- Rights and Responsibilities for SNBC
See also:
- How do I enroll in, change, or leave an SNBC plan?
- I missed spenddown payments and my SNBC ended — how do I get back in?
Tags & Metadata
Parent Category: Health Care
Subcategory: Managed Care
Labels (3–6):
- SNBC
- Special Needs Basic Care
- Eligibility
- Managed Care
- Medical Assistance
Alternate Search Phrases (5–10):
- what is SNBC
- SNBC eligibility
- special needs basic care
- SNBC integrated vs non integrated
- SNBC age limits
- disability managed care MN
- SNBC requirements
Was this article helpful?
Your feedback helps us keep things accurate and easy to find.