By: Rose H.B. No. 1803
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain individuals to purchase
Medicare supplement benefit plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1652, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1652.059 to read as follows:
Sec. 1652.059. COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS YOUNGER
THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity" means an entity that
delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare supplement benefit plan
in this state.
(b) An entity that offers coverage under a Medicare
supplement benefit plan to individuals 65 years of age or older must
offer the same coverage to individuals younger than 65 years of age
who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason of
disability or end stage renal disease.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by rules adopted under
Section 1652.051, any benefit, protection, policy, or procedure
applicable to coverage under a plan for an individual 65 years of
age or older must apply to coverage offered under Subsection (b).
(d) An entity shall offer to individuals younger than 65
years of age who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason
of disability or end stage renal disease an open enrollment period
for coverage offered under Subsection (b) that begins on July 1,
2024, and ends not earlier than January 1, 2025. This subsection
expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a Medicare supplement benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery,
or renewed on or after July 1, 2024.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.