Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Seniors’ Health Care Choice Act of 2017”.
Seniors’ Health Care Choice Act of 2017
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to facilitate the transition to Medicare for individuals enrolled in group health plans, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Facilitating transition to Medicare for individuals enrolled in group health plans
Special enrollment period for individuals enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage— Section 1837(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(5)
“(A) In the case of an individual who—
“(i) at the time the individual first satisfies paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1836, is enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage (as defined in subparagraph (D)); and
“(ii) has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) under this section during the individual's initial enrollment period,
“(B) The special enrollment period referred to in subparagraph (A) is the period that includes each month during any part of which the individual is enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage.
“(C) An individual may only enroll during the special enrollment period provided under subparagraph (B) one time during the individual's lifetime.
“(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term COBRA continuation coverage means continuation coverage—
“(i) under a COBRA continuation provision (as defined in section 2791(d)(4) of the Public Health Service Act);
“(ii) pursuant to section 8905a of title 5, United States Code; or
“(iii) under a similar State program.”
Coverage period for individuals transitioning from COBRA continuation coverage— Section 1838(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395q(e)) is amended—
by striking “pursuant to section 1837(i)(3) or 1837(i)(4)(B)” and inserting the following:
“(1) section 1837(i)(3) or 1837(i)(4)(B)—”
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving the indentation of each such subparagraph 2 ems to the right;
by striking the period at the end of the subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, and inserting “; or”; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(2) section 1837(i)(5), the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.”