Skip to Main Content
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how

Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) transition update for providers: Wellcare Meridian Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) launches January 1, 2026

Date: 10/28/25

On January 1, 2026, Merdian will launch Wellcare Meridian Dual Align (HMO D-SNP), a fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE-SNP). The Wellcare By Meridian D-SNP has an integrated model of care and benefits designed for individuals who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid.

The current Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) will end on December 31, 2025.

  • Current Meridian MMP members will be automatically enrolled by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) into the Wellcare By Meridian D-SNP with a start date of January 1, 2026
  • Current MMP members and other eligible members can enroll in other forms of coverage (including other FIDE-SNP plans) beginning October 15, 2025

Contract amendments have been sent to all contracted Meridian MMP, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid HCBS providers with the Wellcare By Meridian-DSNP requirements. The amendment becomes effective on January 1, 2026, unless a provider chooses to opt-out of the D-SNP network.

Provider FAQs

We’ve posted answers to frequently asked provider questions about the Wellcare By Meridian D-SNP transition and will continue to provide updates as the go-live date draws near. Current FAQs include,

  • Details about claim submission requirements
  • Member benefits information and the Wellcare By Meridian member ID card example
  • Contact information for Meridian Provider Engagement and Contracting & Network Development teams

Review the Wellcare By Meridian provider FAQs housed in the Documents and Forms accordion of the “For Providers” web page.

Background on Illinois’ Transition to D-SNP

Following direction from the CMS, the Illinois Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) will end December 31, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will offer Medicare Advantage dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs). Following a competitive procurement process, Meridian of Illinois was among four managed care organizations chosen to deliver services to eligible members. Learn more from HFS about the MMAI transition to D-SNP.

Additional Resources