I
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1788
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2019
Ms. Hill of California (for herself, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Norton, Ms. Brownley of California, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Cox of California, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Rouda, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Ms. Underwood, Mr. Rose of New York, and Mr. Babin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, and to exclude periods of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage from such late enrollment penalty.
Limiting Medicare part B late enrollment penalty to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment
In general
The first sentence of section 1839(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(b)) is amended by striking 10 percent of the monthly premium so determined for each full 12 months
and inserting 15 percent of the monthly premium so determined for premiums paid during a period equal to twice the number of months in each of the full periods of 12 months
.
Conforming amendments
Section 1818 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–2) is amended—
in subsection (c)(6), by striking and shall only apply to premiums paid during a period equal to twice the number of months in the full 12-month periods described in that section and
; and
in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking by substituting
and all that follows and inserting the following: by substituting
.section 1818 (without any increase resulting from the application of section 1839(b) to such section 1818)
for section 1839 (without any increase under subsection (b) thereof)
.
Effective date
In general
The amendments made by this section shall apply to premiums paid for months beginning after the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Clarification
In applying these amendments, months (before, during, or after the month in which this Act is enacted) in which an individual was or is required to pay an increased premium shall be taken into account in determining the month in which the premium will no longer be subject to an increase.
Exclusion of periods of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage from Medicare part B late enrollment penalty
In general
The second sentence of section 1839(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(b)) is amended—
by striking by reason of the individual’s (or the individual’s spouse’s) current employment
; and
by inserting or months for which the individual can demonstrate that the individual had coverage under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code
before the period at the end.
Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to premiums paid for months beginning after the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Special enrollment period for individuals whose COBRA or retiree coverage terminates
In general
Section 1837(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p(i)) is amended—
in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by striking by reason of the individual's (or the individual’s spouse’s) current employment status
in subparagraph (A);
in the first sentence of paragraph (2) by striking by reason of the individual's (or the individual’s spouse’s) current employment status
each place it appears in subparagraphs (B) and (C); and
in paragraph (3)(A) by striking by reason of current employment status
.
Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to terminations of coverage occurring after the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.