bill opening Medicare supplement plans to people under 65

The text as introduced · 570 words

89R9301 SCF-D

By: Schwertner
S.B. No. 1945

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain individuals younger than 65

years of age to purchase Medicare supplement benefit plans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1652, Insurance Code, is

amended by adding Sections 1652.059 and 1652.060 to read as

follows:

Sec. 1652.059. COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS YOUNGER

THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity" means an entity that

delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare supplement benefit plan

in this state.

(b) An entity that offers coverage under a Medicare

supplement benefit plan to individuals 65 years of age or older must

offer the same coverage to individuals younger than 65 years of age

who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason of

disability or end stage renal disease.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by rules adopted under

Section 1652.051, any benefit, protection, policy, or procedure

applicable to coverage under a plan for an individual 65 years of

age or older must apply to coverage offered under Subsection (b).

(d) An entity shall offer a plan under Subsection (b) at the

same premium rate charged for that plan to an individual 65 years of

age.

Sec. 1652.060. OPEN AND SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS FOR

CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS YOUNGER THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity"

means an entity that delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare

supplement benefit plan in this state.

(b) An individual eligible for coverage under a Medicare

supplement benefit plan under Section 1652.059 may enroll any time

during:

(1) the six-month period beginning the first day of

the first month the individual becomes enrolled for benefits under

Medicare Part B;

(2) a 60-day open enrollment period each year

beginning on the date of the individual's birth; or

(3) a special enrollment period designated by the

commissioner.

(c) During an enrollment period, an entity may not:

(1) deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of

a Medicare supplement benefit plan or certificate that the entity

offers and is available for issuance in this state;

(2) subject an applicant to medical underwriting or

discriminate in the price of a Medicare supplement benefit plan or

certificate because of the applicant's health status, claims

experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; or

(3) impose an exclusion of benefits based on an

applicant's preexisting condition.

(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to

administer this section, including rules designating enrollment

periods.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a Medicare supplement benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery,

or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. In addition to other enrollment periods provided

by law, an individual younger than 65 years of age and enrolled in

Medicare Part B by reason of disability or end stage renal disease

on the effective date of this Act may apply for coverage under a

Medicare supplement benefit plan:

(1) after August 31, 2025, and before March 2, 2026; or

(2) if the individual is unable to submit an

application for coverage under the plan during the period described

by Subdivision (1) of this section because the application is not

available and the individual requested the application during that

period, during a six-month period beginning on the date the

application initially becomes available.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.