FORCE Act of 2023

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide benefits under the Medicare program for first responders at the age of 57. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the First Responders’ Care Expansion Act of 2023 FORCE Act of 2023 2. Providing benefits under the Medicare program for first responders at the age of 57 (a) In general Title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq. 1899C. Medicare for first responders at age 57 (a) Option (1) In general Every individual who meets the requirements described in paragraph (2) shall be eligible to enroll under this section. (2) Eligibility The requirements described in this paragraph are the following: (A) Age The individual has attained 57 years of age, but has not attained 65 years of age. (B) First responder The individual has worked for a total of 10 years or longer in any occupation (or a combination of occupations) identified by any of the following codes (or successor codes) under the Standard Occupations Classification System established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: (i) 33–1010. (ii) 33–1020. (iii) 33–2000. (iv) 33–3000 (other than any occupations identified under code 33–3040). (v) 33–9092. (C) Medicare eligibility (but for age) The individual is not otherwise entitled to benefits under part A or eligible to enroll under part A or part B but would be so entitled (or so eligible) if the individual were 65 years of age. (3) Part A, B, and D benefits and protections An individual enrolled under this section is entitled to the same benefits (and shall receive the same protections) under this title as an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, including the ability to enroll in a prescription drug plan under part D or a Medicare Advantage plan (including such a plan that provides qualified prescription drug coverage (an MA–PD plan)) and including access to the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman under section 1808(c). (b) Enrollment and coverage periods (1) Enrollment An individual eligible to enroll under this section may so enroll— (A) during the 1-month period prior to the individual becoming so eligible; or (B) at any time while such individual is so eligible. (2) Coverage An individual enrolled under this section shall be eligible for benefits provided under this section beginning with the first day of the first month beginning after the date such individual so enrolls and ending on the earlier of the following: (A) The date on which such individual elects to terminate enrollment under this section. (B) The date on which such individual becomes entitled to benefits under part A or eligible to enroll for benefits under part B. (c) Premium (1) Amount of monthly premiums The monthly premium payable for coverage for a month under this section for an individual is equal to— (A) the monthly premium that would apply to such individual for such month under section 1839 if such individual were enrolled under part B; plus (B) in the case of an individual who would not be entitled to benefits under part A for such month pursuant to section 226 if the individual were 65 years of age, the monthly premium that would apply to such individual for such month under section 1818 if such individual were enrolled under part A. (2) Additional premiums In the case of an individual enrolled under this section who elects to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C or a prescription drug plan under part D, the provisions of such part C or such part D, as applicable, relating to payment of premiums for individuals so enrolled shall apply to individuals enrolled under this section. (d) Payment of premiums (1) Payment Premiums for enrollment under this section shall be paid to the Secretary at such times, and in such manner, as the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Deposit Amounts collected by the Secretary under this section shall be deposited in the Medicare First Responder Trust Fund established under subsection (e). (e) Medicare First Responder Trust Fund (1) In general There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Medicare First Responder Trust Fund Trust Fund (2) Premiums Premiums collected under subsection (d) (not including any premium payable pursuant to paragraph (2) of such subsection) shall be transferred to the Trust Fund. (3) Incorporation of Provisions Subsections (b) through (i) of section 1841 shall apply with respect to the Trust Fund and this title in the same manner as they apply with respect to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund and part B, respectively, except that in applying such section 1841, any reference in such section to this part (f) Clarification Nothing in this section shall affect the benefits or eligibility under this title of individuals who would otherwise be entitled to or eligible for benefits under this title or title XIX, or both. (g) Treatment in relation to the Affordable Care Act (1) Treatment as minimum essential coverage For purposes of applying section 5000A (2) Medicaid managed care States are prohibited from buying their Medicaid beneficiaries ages 57 to 64 who are eligible to enroll under this section into Medicare under this section, and individuals otherwise eligible for enrollment under a State plan under title XIX are prohibited from coverage under this title pursuant to enrollment under this section. The preceding sentence shall not apply to Medicaid beneficiaries whose Medicaid coverage or eligibility does not meet the definition of minimum essential coverage under a government-sponsored program under section 1.5000A–2 of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (3) Access to Medigap Coverage provided through medicare supplemental policies certified under section 1882 shall be made available to individuals eligible for enrollment pursuant to this section for enrollment, information, comparison, and otherwise as such a policy through any internet website described in paragraph (2). . (b) Medigap Section 1882 of the Social Security Act is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (aa) Development of New Standards for Certain Medicare Supplemental Policies relating to first responder coverage The Secretary shall request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to review and revise the standards for benefit packages described in subsection (p)(1), to otherwise update standards to include requirements for each medicare supplemental policy that offers such a policy in a State, with respect to each year, to accept every individual in the State who is eligible for enrollment pursuant to section 1899C and who applies for such coverage for such year if the individual applies for enrollment in such policy during the 30-day period following the date of enrollment pursuant to section 1899C and to accept every such individual during a period of transition from enrollment pursuant to such section to enrollment under this title pursuant to eligibility other than under such section. Such revisions shall be made consistent with the rules applicable under subsection (p)(1)(E) with the reference to the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation date of enactment of this subsection .

Summary: First Responders' Care Expansion Act of 2023 or the FORCE Act of 2023 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of first responders between the ages of 57 and 64 who do not otherwise already qualify for Medicare.