Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in Erie County, New York
For 2025, residents of Erie County, NY can choose from 26 Special Needs Plan options. Of these, 18 cost nothing beyond the Part B premium. Enrollment in the County is about 18,408, with 24% of SNPs achieving 4 stars or better. SNPs are not available to everyone — eligibility is limited to people with dual Medicare/Medicaid coverage, qualifying chronic conditions, or institutional care needs.
Last update: . Enrollment data last updated: August 18, 2025
* CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans annually using a 5-star system. Data sources
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are designed for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits to reduce costs and provide access to additional support services.
- Total D-SNP Plans
- 19
- Average Premium
- $6.76/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 15,062
- $0 Premium D-SNPs
- 17
- Average MOOP
- $8,647
- Most Popular D-SNP
- UHC Dual Complete NY-S002 (D-SNP) with 5,693 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| SNP Plan Name | Rating* | Premium | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete NY-S001 | $0 | PPO D-SNP | |
| Aetna Medicare Assure | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Aetna Medicare Assure QMB | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Centers Plan for Medicaid Advantage Plus | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| HumanaChoice SNP-DE H5970-020 | $0 | PPO D-SNP | |
| UHC Dual Complete NY-Q001 | $0 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| UHC Dual Complete NY-S002 | $0 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| UHC Dual Complete NY-Y001 | $0 | HMO-POS D-SNP | |
| VNS Health EasyCare Plus | $72 | HMO D-SNP | |
| VNS Health Total | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Dual Access | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H3533-002 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Fidelis Dual Access | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Wellcare Dual Access Open | $0 | PPO D-SNP | |
| Nascentia Dual Advantage | $56 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Nascentia Medicaid Advantage Plus | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Univera Medicare Dual | $0 | HMO D-SNP | |
| Univera Medicare Total Care | $0 | HMO D-SNP |
What is the average premium for D-SNP plans in Erie County?
On average, D-SNP plans in Erie County cost $6.76 per month.
Which D-SNP is the most popular in Erie County?
The leading D-SNP in Erie County is UHC Dual Complete NY-S002 (D-SNP), with 5,693 members.
How many D-SNP plans are available in Erie County?
In 2025, Erie County offers 19 D-SNPs with 15,062 enrollees.
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs)
These plans cater to individuals residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, or those requiring extended skilled nursing facility care at home. The CMS website provides more information about I-SNPs and their coverage details.
- Total I-SNP Plans 5
- Average Premium $65.26/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled 1,103
- $0 Premium I-SNPs 0
- Average MOOP $5,520
- Most Popular I-SNP Independent Health's Medicare Family Choice (I-SNP) with 785 enrollees
- I-SNPs Without Drug Coverage 0
| SNP Plan Name | Rating* | Premium | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Medicare Longevity | $72 | PPO I-SNP | |
| Independent Health's Medicare Family Choice | $41 | HMO I-SNP | |
| UHC Nursing Home Plan NY-F001 | $69 | PPO I-SNP | |
| Centers Plan for Nursing Home Care | $72 | HMO I-SNP | |
| Nascentia Skilled Nursing Facility | $72 | HMO I-SNP |
What is the typical monthly premium for I-SNPs in Erie County?
On average, I-SNP plans in Erie County cost $65.26 per month.
Which I-SNP plan do most institutionalized beneficiaries choose in Erie County?
The leading I-SNP in Erie County is Independent Health's Medicare Family Choice (I-SNP), with 785 members.
How many Institutional SNPs are offered in Erie County?
In 2025, Erie County offers 5 I-SNPs with 1,103 enrollees.
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
These plans are designed for individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions. C-SNPs excel at coordinating your care among different medical specialists and often include extra benefits like prescription drug plans.
- Total C-SNP Plans
- 2
- Average Premium
- $24.50/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 2,243
- $0 Premium C-SNPs
- 1
- Average MOOP
- $7,525
- Most Popular C-SNP
- Independent Health's Assure Advantage (C-SNP) with 1,147 enrollees
- C-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| SNP Plan Name | Rating* | Premium | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Health's Assure Advantage | $49 | HMO C-SNP | |
| UHC Complete Care NY-30 | $0 | HMO-POS C-SNP |
What C-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Erie County?
Independent Health's Assure Advantage (C-SNP) is the most popular C-SNP in Erie County, with 1,147 enrollees.
What is the total number of C-SNP options in Erie County?
There are 2 C-SNP plans in 2025, covering 2,243 beneficiaries.
Choosing the right Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) in Erie County depends on enrolling at the right time. Understanding the different enrollment periods will help ensure that you get the coverage that best meets your needs.
When You Can Sign Up
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Lasting seven months around your 65th birthday, this period lets you enroll in Medicare for the first time. You may also choose a Medicare Advantage plan during this time. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Each year from January 1 through March 31, you may change to another Medicare Advantage plan or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): This yearly window, running October 15 to December 7, gives you the opportunity to join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Certain qualifying events, such as a change in residence or loss of existing coverage, may allow you to enroll in or change Medicare Advantage plans outside of the usual enrollment windows. Learn more
SNP Enrollment Options Explained
- Talk with a Licensed Agent: Licensed agents at HealthCompare can explain your Medicare Advantage choices. Reach them at 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: You may enroll through a plan provider’s website or speak with their customer support staff to complete your application.
- Use Medicare.gov: Visit Medicare.gov to shop for plans, review benefits, and submit your enrollment electronically.
The D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP plans listed on this page are available to qualifying individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B living in Akron, Alden, Angola, Boston, Chaffee, Clarence, Clarence Center, Colden, Collins, Depew, Derby, East Amherst, East Aurora, East Concord, Eden, Elma, Getzville, Grand Island, Hamburg, Holland, Lake View, Lancaster, Lawtons, Marilla, North Collins, Orchard Park, South Wales, Springville, Tonawanda, West Falls, Buffalo, and all other areas of Erie County, New York.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.
CMS Plan IDs Presented
The Medicare Special Needs Plan pages listed in the tables above include localization to assist beneficiaries with plans available in their service area. However, most Part C plans are available in more than one service area, which can lead to confusion. The following list of CMS IDs links to our master plan pages without localization.
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed October 15, 2024
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 15, 2024
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 15, 2024
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- Medicare.gov, "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 24 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- NCOA.org, "5 Steps to Choosing the Right Medicare Plan for You" — Last accessed 22 May, 2025
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Data provenance documentation is maintained in alignment with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Provenance standard.
Page content managed by David Bynon, Medicare Analyst.