Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI)

SSBCI benefits are available to members with certain chronic conditions that meet specific criteria set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The benefits are designed to help improve or maintain your overall health and/or ability to function. CMS requires us to verify your eligibility before you can get these benefits.  

Having one of the SSBCI conditions alone does not mean you automatically qualify. We will review your eligibility. If you qualify, we will let you know.

Self-attestations are not accepted. If we can’t confirm that you qualify, you will not receive SSBCI benefits.

Healthy Benefits+ gives you an allowance each month. If you don’t use the whole amount during the month, it will roll over. If you have SSBCI, you may use that allowance on additional eligible benefits and services.

* The benefits mentioned are Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). You may qualify for SSBCI if you are at high risk for hospitalization and require intensive care coordination to manage one or more chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, overweight/obesity/metabolic syndrome, chronic and disabling mental health conditions or neurologic disorders. For a full list of qualifying chronic conditions or to learn more about other eligibility requirements for SSBCI, please contact Member Services or your Care Coordinator.

What are the qualifying conditions to be eligible for SSBCI benefits?

ConditionsCommon Examples
Autoimmune disorders
  • Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
  • Polyarteritis nodosa (affects arteries)
  • Polymyositis (weakens muscles)
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
Cardiovascular disorders
  • Aortic aneurysm or Abdominal Aortic aneurysm
  • Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib)
  • Cardiac (Heart) arrhythmias (heart flutters or “skips a beat)
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Chronic Alcohol Use Disorder and Other Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)**
  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Cocaine Use Disorder
  • Opioid Use Disorder
Chronic and Disabling Mental Health Conditions
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Paranoid disorder
  • Schizophrenia
Chronic Conditions That Impair Vision, Hearing, Taste, Touch, and Smell
  • Ageusia (loss of taste)
  • Anosmia (loss of smell) or Hyposmia (Reduced ability to smell)
  • Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic retinopathy, Macular degeneration
  • Deafness (Hearing loss)
Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
Chronic Heart Failure
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF)
  • Systolic or Diastolic Heart Failure
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Stage 1-5 CKD
  • End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Chronic Lung Disorders
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Bronchitis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis and/or Hypertension
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
Conditions Associated with Cognitive Impairment
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Conditions That Require Continued Therapy Services
  • Autism Spectrum/Pervasive developmental disorder
  • Intellectual disability
Conditions with Functional Challenges
  • Arthritis (impacting mobility)
  • Cerebral Palsy (affecting movement)
  • Spinal Cord Injury (impacting daily activities)
Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Frontotemporal Dementia (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Pick’s disease)
  • Lewy Body Dementia
Diabetes Mellitus
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
  • AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
Immunodeficiency and Immunosuppressive Disorders
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (e.g., Common Variable Immunodeficiency)
  • Secondary Immunodeficiency due to medications (e.g., corticosteroids)
Neurologic Disorders
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Epilepsy
  • Extensive paralysis (hemiplegia, quadriplegia, paraplegia, etc.)
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
Overweight, Obesity, and Metabolic Syndrome
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 (Obesity)
  • Chronic Metabolic Syndrome (cluster of conditions like HTN, blood sugar, etc.)
Post-Organ Transplantation
  • Heart Transplant
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Liver Transplant
Severe Hematologic Disorders
  • Hemophilia
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Von Willebrand disease
Stroke
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke (Bleeds)
  • Ischemic Stroke (Clots)
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)