Limiting Medicare part B late enrollment penalty to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment

(a) In general The first sentence of section 1839(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(b)) is amended by striking 10 percent of the monthly premium so determined for each full 12 months and inserting 15 percent of the monthly premium so determined for premiums paid during a period equal to twice the number of months in each of the full periods of 12 months. (b) Conforming amendments Section 1818 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–2) is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(6), by striking and shall only apply to premiums paid during a period equal to twice the number of months in the full 12-month periods described in that section and; and (2) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking by substituting and all that follows and inserting the following: by substituting section 1818 (without any increase resulting from the application of section 1839(b) to such section 1818) for section 1839 (without any increase under subsection (b) thereof).. (c) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by this section shall apply to premiums paid for months beginning after the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Clarification In applying these amendments, months (before, during, or after the month in which this Act is enacted) in which an individual was or is required to pay an increased premium shall be taken into account in determining the month in which the premium will no longer be subject to an increase.