Medicare Enrollment Protection Act

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a special enrollment period under Medicare for individuals enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Enrollment Protection Act 2. Treatment under Medicare of individuals transitioning from COBRA continuation coverage (a) Special enrollment period for individuals enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage Section 1837(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395p(i) (5) (A) In the case of an individual who— (i) (I) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1836, is enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage (as defined in subparagraph (D)); or (II) is enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage (and made such enrollment after attaining 65 years of age) and immediately prior to such enrollment was an individual described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection; and (ii) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual’s initial enrollment period; there shall be a special enrollment period described in subparagraph (B). (B) The special enrollment period referred to in subparagraph (A) is the period that includes each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage. (C) An individual may only enroll during the special enrollment period provided under subparagraph (B) one time during the individual’s lifetime. (D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term COBRA continuation coverage (i) under a COBRA continuation provision (as defined in section 2791(d)(4) of the Public Health Service Act); (ii) pursuant to section 8905a of title 5, United States Code; or (iii) under a similar State program that provides comparable continuation coverage. . (b) Coverage period for individuals transitioning from COBRA continuation coverage Section 1838(e) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395q(e) (1) by striking pursuant to section 1837(i)(3) or 1837(i)(4)(B) pursuant to— (1) section 1837(i)(3) or 1837(i)(4)(B)— ; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving the indentation of each such subparagraph 2 ems to the right; (3) by striking the period at the end of the subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, and inserting ; or (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) section 1837(i)(5), the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls. . (c) No increase in premium Section 1839(b) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395r(b) (1) in the first sentence, by inserting , (i)(5), subsection (i)(4) (2) in the second sentence, by inserting before the period at the end the following: or months for which the individual can demonstrate that the individual was enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage (as such term is defined in section 1837(i)(5)(D)). (d) Updating COBRA continuation coverage notifications The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall update the COBRA continuation coverage election notice and COBRA continuation coverage general notice required under section 606 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1166 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b) (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to periods of COBRA continuation coverage beginning on or after such date.

Summary: Medicare Enrollment Protection Act This bill creates a special Medicare enrollment period for individuals enrolled in, or transitioning out of, continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)—a federal law that allows an individual to maintain health coverage following loss of coverage due to termination of employment or another qualifying event. The bill exempts such individuals from certain monthly premium increases associated with delaying Medicare coverage.