Georgia Senate Bill SB409

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/24
• Refer: 1/29/24

Caption

"Bridging the Gap for ALS and Chronic Kidney Disease Act of 2024"; enact

Impact

The implementation of SB409 would positively impact many disabled individuals and those with chronic health conditions across Georgia by ensuring they have guaranteed access to Medicare supplement insurance. Additionally, by limiting the premiums insurers can charge for these policies, the bill aims to make healthcare costs more equitable. By aligning the premiums of younger insured individuals with those of the older demographic, it intends to enhance affordability, promoting better healthcare access for these vulnerable populations.

Summary

SB409, titled the 'Bridging the Gap for ALS and Chronic Kidney Disease Act of 2024', aims to expand access to Medicare supplement insurance for individuals under the age of 65 who are eligible due to disability or chronic health conditions such as end-stage renal disease. The bill provides provisions for such individuals to be eligible for insurance policies that were previously not accessible to them. The fundamental changes introduced by this bill include establishing designated open enrollment periods and prohibiting insurers from charging higher premiums than those applied to individuals aged 65 and older with similar coverage needs.

Contention

Despite its advantages, there are notable points of contention regarding SB409. Critics argue that the potential costs of expanding insurance access to younger individuals could result in higher premiums for the older population or financial strain on the Medicare system overall. There are concerns regarding the balance of premium rates that need to be maintained to ensure that the new regulations do not unfairly discriminate against older adults, making this an ongoing topic of discussion among lawmakers and stakeholders in the health insurance industry.