BILL AS INTRODUCED H.275
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VT LEG #380832 v.1
H.275 1
Introduced by Representatives Coffin of Cavendish, Birong of Vergennes, 2
Boyden of Cambridge, Greer of Bennington, Hooper of 3
Burlington, Pinsonault of Dorset, Pritchard of Pawlet, and Toof 4
of St. Albans Town 5
Referred to Committee on 6
Date: 7
Subject: Health; health insurance; Medicare supplement insurance; open 8
enrollment; guaranteed issue 9
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create annual 10
open enrollment periods for Medicare supplement insurance policies and to 11
prohibit health insurers from charging additional premiums, fees, or penalties 12
based on an individual’s failure to enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance 13
policy within six months following the individual’s 65th birthday. The bill 14
would also prohibit preexisting condition exclusions in Medicare supplement 15
insurance policies and would permit enrollees to change at any time from one 16
Medicare supplement insurance policy to another policy with comparable or 17
lesser benefits. 18
An act relating to enrollment in Medicare supplement insurance policies 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.275
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VT LEG #380832 v.1
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 1
Sec. 1. 8 V.S.A. § 4080e is amended to read: 2
§ 4080e. MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE 3
POLICIES; COMMUNITY RATING; DISABILITY 4
* * * 5
(e)(1) A health insurance company, hospital or medical service corporation, 6
or health maintenance organization offering a Medicare supplement insurance 7
policy shall guarantee acceptance of an individual’s application for coverage 8
during the six-month period following the individual’s 65th birthday and 9
during an annual open enrollment period that shall coincide with the federal 10
open enrollment period for Medicare Part D plans. A health insurance 11
company, hospital or medical service corporation, or health maintenance 12
organization offering a Medicare supplement insurance policy shall not make 13
any premium rate distinctions or charge any additional fees or penalty amounts 14
based on an applicant’s failure to enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance 15
policy during the applicant’s initial open enrollment period upon attaining 65 16
years of age. 17
(2) A health insurance company, hospital or medical service 18
corporation, or health maintenance organization offering a Medicare 19
supplement insurance policy shall not exclude, restrict, or otherwise limit 20
coverage under the policy for any preexisting health condition. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.275
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VT LEG #380832 v.1
(3) A health insurance company, hospital or medical service 1
corporation, or health maintenance organization offering a Medicare 2
supplement insurance policy shall allow an enrollee to change at any time from 3
one Medicare supplement insurance policy to another policy offering 4
comparable or lesser benefits. 5
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 6
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 7