Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-1826
Sponsor: full_name: Resident Commissioner González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-03-11
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Caribbean area

Health care coverage and access

Medicare

Puerto Rico

U.S. territories and protectorates
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-11
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of </b><b>2021</b></p> <p>This bill exempts an&nbsp;individual from late-enrollment penalties for Medicare medical services if the individual resided in Puerto Rico as of the date of eligibility and the individual enrolls within five years of such date. Currently, the late enrollment penalty is 10% of monthly premiums for each 12-month period during which the individual was not enrolled, and the penalty continues to apply for as long as the individual is enrolled in Medicare medical services. </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1826 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 11, 2021 Miss González-Colón (for herself and Mr. Soto ) 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 eliminate late enrollment penalties under part B of the Medicare program for individuals residing in Puerto Rico if such individuals enroll within 5 years of becoming entitled to benefits under part A of such program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of 2021 . 2. Eliminating late enrollment penalties under part B of the Medicare program for certain individuals residing in Puerto Rico (a) In general Section 1839(b) of the Social Security Act is amended in the second sentence by inserting or months occurring in the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the individual becomes entitled to benefits under part A if such individual was residing in Puerto Rico as of such date and such date is after the date that is 4 years before the date of the enactment of the Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of 2021 before the period at the end of such sentence. (b) Application The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to premiums paid for months beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.