California's D-SNP Expansion Changed the Stakes for Medi-Cal Plans. Here's How to Get Ahead.

California’s expansion of Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) from 12 to 41 counties means Medi-Cal managed care plans must now meet Medicare Stars quality standards alongside existing Medi-Cal accountability requirements in 2026. The post outlines how plans can manage dual-eligible members across two independent measurement systems and get ahead of the added operational complexity.