United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014) |
Title 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE |
Chapter 7. SOCIAL SECURITY |
SubChapter XVIII. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED |
Part B. Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled |
§ 1395p. Enrollment periods
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(a) Generally; regulations An individual may enroll in the insurance program established by this part only in such manner and form as may be prescribed by regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section.
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 945(a), Dec. 5, 1980 , 94 Stat. 2642(c) Initial general enrollment period; eligible individuals before March 1, 1966 In the case of individuals who first satisfy paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1395o of this title before
March 1, 1966 , the initial general enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the second month which begins afterJuly 30, 1965 , and shall end onMay 31, 1966 . For purposes of this subsection and subsection (d) of this section, an individual who has attained age 65 and who satisfies paragraph (1) of section 1395o of this title but not paragraph (2) of such section shall be treated as satisfying such paragraph (1) on the first day on which he is (or on filing application would have been) entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A.(d) Eligible individuals on or after March 1, 1966 In the case of an individual who first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1395o of this title on or after
March 1, 1966 , his initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the third month before the month in which he first satisfies such paragraphs and shall end seven months later. Where the Secretary finds that an individual who has attained age 65 failed to enroll under this part during his initial enrollment period (based on a determination by the Secretary of the month in which such individual attained age 65), because such individual (relying on documentary evidence) was mistaken as to his correct date of birth, the Secretary shall establish for such individual an initial enrollment period based on his attaining age 65 at the time shown in such documentary evidence (with a coverage period determined under section 1395q of this title as though he had attained such age at that time).(e) General enrollment period There shall be a general enrollment period during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year.
(f) Individuals deemed enrolled in medical insurance program Any individual— (1) who is eligible under section 1395o of this title to enroll in the medical insurance program by reason of entitlement to hospital insurance benefits as described in paragraph (1) of such section, and (2) whose initial enrollment period under subsection (d) of this section begins after March 31, 1973 , and(3) who is residing in the United States, exclusive of Puerto Rico, shall be deemed to have enrolled in the medical insurance program established by this part. (g) Commencement of enrollment period All of the provisions of this section shall apply to individuals satisfying subsection (f) of this section, except that— (1) in the case of an individual who satisfies subsection (f) of this section by reason of entitlement to disability insurance benefits described in section 426(b) of this title, his initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the later of (A) April 1973 or (B) the third month before the 25th month of such entitlement, and shall reoccur with each continuous period of eligibility (as defined in section 1395r(d) of this title) and upon attainment of age 65; (2) (A) in the case of an individual who is entitled to monthly benefits under section 402 or 423 of this title on the first day of his initial enrollment period or becomes entitled to monthly benefits under section 402 of this title during the first 3 months of such period, his enrollment shall be deemed to have occurred in the third month of his initial enrollment period, and (B) in the case of an individual who is not entitled to benefits under section 402 of this title on the first day of his initial enrollment period and does not become so entitled during the first 3 months of such period, his enrollment shall be deemed to have occurred in the month in which he files the application establishing his entitlement to hospital insurance benefits provided such filing occurs during the last 4 months of his initial enrollment period; and (3) in the case of an individual who would otherwise satisfy subsection (f) of this section but does not establish his entitlement to hospital insurance benefits until after the last day of his initial enrollment period (as defined in subsection (d) of this section), his enrollment shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the earlier of the then current or immediately succeeding general enrollment period (as defined in subsection (e) of this section). (h) Waiver of enrollment period requirements where individual’s rights were prejudiced by administrative error or inaction In any case where the Secretary finds that an individual’s enrollment or nonenrollment in the insurance program established by this part or part A pursuant to section 1395i–2 of this title is unintentional, inadvertent, or erroneous and is the result of the error, misrepresentation, or inaction of an officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Government, or its instrumentalities, the Secretary may take such action (including the designation for such individual of a special initial or subsequent enrollment period, with a coverage period determined on the basis thereof and with appropriate adjustments of premiums) as may be necessary to correct or eliminate the effects of such error, misrepresentation, or inaction.
(i) Special enrollment periods (1) In the case of an individual who— (A) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1395o of this title, is enrolled in a group health plan described in section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v) of this title by reason of the individual’s (or the individual’s spouse’s) current employment status, and (B) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual’s initial enrollment period, there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3). In the case of an individual not described in the previous sentence who has not attained the age of 65, at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) of section 1395o of this title, is enrolled in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iii) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual), and has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual’s initial enrollment period, there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3)(B). (2) In the case of an individual who— (A) (i) has enrolled (or has been deemed to have enrolled) in the medical insurance program established under this part during the individual’s initial enrollment period, or (ii) is an individual described in paragraph (1)(A); (B) has enrolled in such program during any subsequent special enrollment period under this subsection during which the individual was not enrolled in a group health plan described in section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v) of this title by reason of the individual’s (or individual’s spouse’s) current employment status; and (C) has not terminated enrollment under this section at any time at which the individual is not enrolled in such a group health plan by reason of the individual’s (or individual’s spouse’s) current employment status, there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3). In the case of an individual not described in the previous sentence who has not attained the age of 65, has enrolled (or has been deemed to have enrolled) in the medical insurance program established under this part during the individual’s initial enrollment period, or is an individual described in the second sentence of paragraph (1), has enrolled in such program during any subsequent special enrollment period under this subsection during which the individual was not enrolled in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iii) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual), and has not terminated enrollment under this section at any time at which the individual is not enrolled in such a large group health plan by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual), there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3)(B). (3) (A) The special enrollment period referred to in the first sentences of paragraphs (1) and (2) is the period including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in a group health plan described in section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v) of this title by reason of current employment status ending with the last day of the eighth consecutive month in which the individual is at no time so enrolled. (B) The special enrollment period referred to in the second sentences of paragraphs (1) and (2) is the period including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iii) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual) ending with the last day of the eighth consecutive month in which the individual is at no time so enrolled. (4) (A) In the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A pursuant to section 426(b) of this title and— (i) who at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) of section 1395o of this title— (I) is enrolled in a group health plan described in section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v) of this title by reason of the individual’s current or former employment or by reason of the current or former employment status of a member of the individual’s family, and (II) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual’s initial enrollment period; and (ii) whose continuous enrollment under such group health plan is involuntarily terminated at a time when the enrollment under the plan is not by reason of the individual’s current employment or by reason of the current employment of a member of the individual’s family, there shall be a special enrollment period described in subparagraph (B). (B) The special enrollment period referred to in subparagraph (A) is the 6-month period beginning on the first day of the month which includes the date of the enrollment termination described in subparagraph (A)(ii). (j) Special rules for individuals with ALS In applying this section in the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A pursuant to the operation of section 426(h) of this title, the following special rules apply: (1) The initial enrollment period under subsection (d) of this section shall begin on the first day of the first month in which the individual satisfies the requirement of section 1395o(1) of this title. (2) In applying subsection (g)(1) of this section, the initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the first month of entitlement to disability insurance benefits referred to in such subsection. (k) Special enrollment period for certain volunteers serving outside United States (1) In the case of an individual who— (A) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1395o of this title, is described in paragraph (3), and has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual’s initial enrollment period; or (B) has terminated enrollment under this section during a month in which the individual is described in paragraph (3), there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (2). (2) The special enrollment period described in this paragraph is the 6-month period beginning on the first day of the month which includes the date that the individual is no longer described in paragraph (3). (3) For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual described in this paragraph is an individual who— (A) is serving as a volunteer outside of the United States through a program— (i) that covers at least a 12-month period; and (ii) that is sponsored by an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and (B) demonstrates health insurance coverage while serving in the program. (l) Special enrollment period for disabled TRICARE beneficiaries (1) In the case of any individual who is a covered beneficiary (as defined in section 1072(5) of title 10) at the time the individual is entitled to part A under section 426(b) of this title or section 426–1 of this title and who is eligible to enroll but who has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) during the individual’s initial enrollment period, there shall be a special enrollment period described in paragraph (2). (2) The special enrollment period described in this paragraph, with respect to an individual, is the 12-month period beginning on the day after the last day of the initial enrollment period of the individual or, if later, the 12-month period beginning with the month the individual is notified of enrollment under this section. (3) In the case of an individual who enrolls during the special enrollment period provided under paragraph (1), the coverage period under this part shall begin on the first day of the month in which the individual enrolls, or, at the option of the individual, the first month after the end of the individual’s initial enrollment period. (4) An individual may only enroll during the special enrollment period provided under paragraph (1) one time during the individual’s lifetime. (5) The Secretary shall ensure that the materials relating to coverage under this part that are provided to an individual described in paragraph (1) prior to the individual’s initial enrollment period contain information concerning the impact of not enrolling under this part, including the impact on health care benefits under the TRICARE program under chapter 55 of title 10. (6) The Secretary of Defense shall collaborate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to provide for the accurate identification of individuals described in paragraph (1). The Secretary of Defense shall provide such individuals with notification with respect to this subsection. The Secretary of Defense shall collaborate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure appropriate follow up pursuant to any notification provided under the preceding sentence.
References In Text
Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii), is classified to section 501 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 111–148 added subsec. (l).
2006—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 109–171 added subsec. (k).
2000—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 106–554 added subsec. (j).
1997—Subsec. (i)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4631(a)(2), substituted “1395y(b)(1)(B)(iii) of this title” for “1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4581(b)(1), added par. (4).
1994—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(A), in closing provisions substituted “(as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual)” for “as an active individual (as those terms are defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title)”.
Subsec. (i)(1)(A). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(D), inserted “status” after “current employment”.
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(A), (C), in closing provisions substituted “(as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual)” for “as an active individual (as those terms are defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title)” and “by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual)” for “as an active individual”.
Subsec. (i)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(D), inserted “status” after “current employment”.
Subsec. (i)(3)(A). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(D), inserted “status” after “current employment”.
Pub. L. 103–432, § 147(f)(1)(A), substituted “including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled” for “beginning with the first day of the first month in which the individual is no longer enrolled” and “ending with the last day of the eighth consecutive month in which the individual is at no time so enrolled” for “and ending seven months later”.
Subsec. (i)(3)(B). Pub. L. 103–432, § 151(c)(2)(B), substituted “in a large group health plan (as that term is defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title) by reason of the individual’s current employment status (or the current employment status of a family member of the individual)” for “as an active individual in a large group health plan (as such terms are defined in section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv) of this title)”.
Pub. L. 103–432, § 147(f)(1)(A), substituted “including each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled” for “beginning with the first day of the first month in which the individual is no longer enrolled” and “ending with the last day of the eighth consecutive month in which the individual is at no time so enrolled” for “and ending seven months later”.
1989—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(c)(1)(A), redesignated subpars. (B) and (C) as (A) and (B), respectively, struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: “has attained the age of 65,”, and inserted “not described in the previous sentence” after “In the case of an individual” in second sentence.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(b)(4)(C), substituted “section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v)” and “section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv)” for “section 1395y(b)(3)(A)(iv)” and “section 1395y(b)(4)(B)”, respectively.
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(c)(1)(B), substituted “(1)(A)” for “(1)(B)” in subpar. (B)(i), redesignated subpars. (B) and (C) as (A) and (B), respectively, struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: “has attained the age of 65;”, and inserted “not described in the previous sentence” after “In the case of an individual” in second sentence.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(b)(4)(C), substituted “section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v)” and “section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv)” for “section 1395y(b)(3)(A)(iv)” and “section 1395y(b)(4)(B)”, respectively.
Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(b)(4)(C), substituted “section 1395y(b)(1)(A)(v)” and “section 1395y(b)(1)(B)(iv)” for “section 1395y(b)(3)(A)(iv)” and “section 1395y(b)(4)(B)”, respectively.
1986—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9319(c)(1), inserted sentence at end providing for a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3)(B) for individuals not age 65, enrolled in a large health plan, and having elected not to enroll during initial enrollment period.
Subsec. (i)(1)(A). Pub. L. 99–514 realigned margins of subpar. (A).
Pub. L. 99–272, § 9219(a)(2)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally, substituting “has attained the age of 65” for “meets the conditions described in clauses (i) and (iii) of section 1395y(b)(3)(A) of this title”.
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9319(c)(2), inserted sentence at end providing for a special enrollment period described in paragraph (3)(B) for individuals not age 65, enrolled or deemed enrolled in the medical insurance program established under this part, or is an individual described in the second sentence of paragraph (1), has enrolled in such program during a subsequent special enrollment period during which the individual was not enrolled in a large group health plan, and has not terminated enrollment.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–272, § 9219(a)(2)(B), amended subpar. (A) generally, substituting “has attained the age of 65;” for “meets the conditions described in clauses (i) and (iii) of section 1395y(b)(3)(A) of this title,”.
Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 99–272, § 9219(a)(2)(B), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “has enrolled (or has been deemed to have enrolled) in the medical insurance program established under this part during the individual’s initial enrollment period and any subsequent special enrollment period under this subsection during which the individual was not enrolled in a group health plan described in section 1395y(b)(3)(A)(iv) of this title by reason of the individual’s (or individual’s spouse’s) current employment, and”.
Subsec. (i)(2)(C), (D). Pub. L. 99–272, § 9219(a)(2)(B), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).
Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9319(c)(3), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted “the first sentences of” after “referred to in”, and added subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 99–272, § 9201(c)(1), amended par. (3) generally, striking out provision that special enrollment period could be period beginning with first day of third month before month in which the individual attains age of 70 and ending seven months later.
1984—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2354(b)(10), substituted “section 426(b) of this title” for “section 426(a)(2)(B) of this title” and “section 1395r(d) of this title” for “section 1395(e) of this title”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2338(b), added subsec. (i).
1981—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2151(a)(1), substituted “during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year” for “which is any period after the period described in subsection (d) of this section”.
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2151(a)(2), substituted “the earlier of the then current or immediately succeeding general enrollment period (as defined in subsection (e) of this section)” for “the month in which the individual files an application establishing such entitlement”.
1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–499, § 945(a), struck out subsec. (b) which provided that no individual could enroll under this part more than twice.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96–499, § 945(b)(1), substituted “which is any period after the period described in subsection (d) of this section” for “, after the period described in subsection (c) of this section, during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year beginning with 1969”.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 96–265 substituted “the 25th month” for “the 25th consecutive month”.
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 96–499, § 945(b)(2), substituted “the month in which the individual files an application establishing such entitlement” for “the earlier of the then current or immediately succeeding general enrollment period (as defined in subsection (e) of this section)”.
1972—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 92–603, § 260, struck out provisions preventing enrollment under this part more than three years after first opportunity for such enrollment.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 92–603, § 201(c)(2)(A), (B), substituted “paragraph (1) or (2)” for “paragraphs (1) and (2)”, and substituted provisions relating to the treatment of an individual who has attained age 65 and who satisfies paragraph (1) of section 1395o of this title but not paragraph (2) of such section, for provisions relating to the treatment of an individual who satisfies paragraph (2) of section 1395o of this title solely by reason of subparagraph (B) thereof.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 92–603, § 201(c)(2)(C), substituted “paragraph (1) or (2)” for “paragraphs (1) and (2)”.
Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 92–603, § 206(a), added subsecs. (f) and (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 92–603, § 259(a), added subsec. (h).
1968—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 145(a), permitted an individual enrolling in supplementary medical insurance program for first time to enroll at any time in a general enrollment period which begins within 3 years of close of his initial enrollment period.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–248, § 136(a), inserted last sentence providing that if an individual who has attained age 65 failed to enroll in program because, relying on erroneous documentary evidence, he was mistaken about his age, he may enroll using date of attainment of age 65 that he alleges under documentary evidence.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 90–248, § 145(b), provided for an annual general enrollment period for supplementary medical insurance program beginning January 1 and ending March 31 of each year, commencing in 1969.
1966—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–384, § 3(a), delayed eligibility date from
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–384, § 3(b), substituted
Effective Date Of Amendment
Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3110(a)(2),
[Pub. L. 111–309, title II, § 201,
Pub. L. 109–171, title V, § 5115(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–554 applicable to benefits for months beginning
Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4581(c),
Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 147(f)(1)(C),
Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 151(c)(2),
Amendment by section 6202(b)(4)(C) of Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to items and services furnished after
Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6202(c)(3),
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. 99–272, see section 1895(e) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 162 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–509 applicable to enrollments occurring on or after
Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9201(d)(2),
Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9219(a)(3)(B),
Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2338(d)(2),
Amendment by section 2354(b)(10) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective
Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2151(b),
Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 945(d),
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–265 applicable with respect to hospital insurance or supplementary medical insurance benefits for services provided on or after the first day of the sixth month which begins after
Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 259(b),
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 136(b),
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 145(e),
Miscellaneous
Pub. L. 108–173, title VI, § 625(b),
Pub. L. 90–97, § 1,
Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(b),