Medicare buy-in option

(a) In general Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 1899D. Buy-in option for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (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 An individual who meets the following requirements is eligible to enroll under this section: (A) Alzheimer’s disease The individual has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (as defined by the Commissioner of Social Security through the Program Operations Manual System (or a successor document)). (B) 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 eligible to enroll under part A or part B 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 parts B and D, including the ability to enroll in a Medicare Advantage 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 periods The Secretary shall provide for a 3-month enrollment period for an individual described in subsection (a) that begins on the first day of the first month following the month in which such individual is first diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The Secretary shall provide for such special enrollment periods similar to those provided under part B. (2) Coverage period Coverage under this section shall begin on the first day of the first month following the month in which such individual enrolls under this section. (c) Application of part A, B, and D premiums An individual enrolled under this section for a month shall be responsible for such month for any premium applicable under sections 1818 and 1839, or under a prescription drug plan under part D, as if such individual were 65 years of age but not otherwise entitled to benefits under part A and were enrolled under part A, part B, or a prescription drug plan under part D (as applicable). (d) 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. (e) Access to Medigap Individuals eligible for enrollment pursuant to this section shall be eligible for coverage provided through medicare supplemental policies certified under section 1882 if the individual applies for enrollment in such policy during the six-month period following the date of enrollment pursuant to this section. The Secretary shall require each issuer of medicare supplemental policies in a State to ensure that at least 1 such policy is available to such individuals in such State.. (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 buy-In option 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 issuer of a medicare supplemental policy that offers such a policy in a State, with respect to each year, to comply with the requirements of section 1899D(e). Such revisions shall be made consistent with the rules applicable under subsection (p)(1)(E) with the reference to the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation deemed a reference to the NAIC Model Regulation as published in the Federal Register on December 4, 1998, and as subsequently updated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to reflect previous changes in law and the reference to date of enactment of this subsection deemed a reference to the date of enactment of this subsection (aa).. (c) Updating materials Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall update applicable information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the Medicare program (such as the notices commonly referred to as Medicare & You and Welcome to Medicare) to include information on the eligibility provided under the amendments made by this section.