Walorski, Young propose bicameral, bipartisan bill to simplify Medicare enrollment

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) recently introduced identical bills in their chambers to simplify and modernize the Medicare eligibility enrollment process.

The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act of 2019, H.R. 2477/S. 1280, would eliminate both health care coverage gaps and late-enrollment penalties, the lawmakers said.

“Seniors who miss the sign-up deadline for Medicare Part B face onerous penalties that persist for the rest of their lives,” said Sen. Young. “The BENES Act will make the sign-up process more efficient and friendly to our seniors so they have the financial backstop needed to access quality medical care.”

The BENES Act would direct the federal government to provide advance notice to Americans who are approaching Medicare eligibility about the basic Medicare enrollment rules, which the members said would end a long-standing gap in education for older adults and people with disabilities.

The bill also would eliminate coverage gaps in Medicare enrollment periods and align Medicare Part B enrollment periods with those in private Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, they said.

“As more and more Americans reach Medicare age, we need to simplify the Part B enrollment process and improve education and outreach to seniors,” Rep. Walorski said. “These bipartisan reforms will protect seniors from unnecessary late enrollment penalties, gaps in coverage and unexpected health care bills.”

More than 85 groups support the proposed bill, including including AARP, the BlueCross BlueShield Association, and the Medicare Rights Center.

H.R. 2477, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), is being reviewed by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.

S. 1280, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), has been referred to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee for consideration. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rob Portman (R-OH) joined Sen. Young as cosponsors of the bill.