H.R. 3665 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, May 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryChanges Medicare enrollment penalties and eligibility
This bill changes how Medicare penalizes people who sign up late for coverage. Right now, if you delay enrolling, you pay a 10% penalty on your monthly premiums that lasts as long as you're in Medicare. This bill would increase that penalty to 15% but make it last for a shorter time—specifically, twice as long as the months you weren't enrolled, rather than forever. The bill also expands special enrollment periods (times outside the normal signup window when you can enroll) to include people who have non-employer health insurance.
How it affects you
If you're nearing Medicare age or already on Medicare, this directly affects you. If you delay signing up for Medicare coverage, you'd face a higher penalty on your premiums, though it wouldn't last as long as current rules require. People with health insurance from sources other than an employer would gain new opportunities to sign up for Medicare outside the standard enrollment periods.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 29, 2025)
Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act
This bill modifies provisions relating to enrollment periods for Medicare medical services.
Among other things, the bill establishes a late enrollment penalty of 15% of monthly premiums and applies the penalty for a period equal to twice the number of months in each 12-month period during which the individual was not enrolled. 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.
The bill also expands the special enrollment periods to individuals who have health insurance coverage other than through their employer.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3665
A BILL
Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act
Sponsor: Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA-5) · Introduced May 29, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 29, 2025: “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.”
Sections
Sections · 4
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Limiting Medicare part B late enrollment penalty to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollmentNo change
- Sec. 3Exclusion of periods of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage from Medicare part B late enrollment penaltyNo change
- Sec. 4Special enrollment period for individuals whose COBRA or retiree coverage terminatesNo change