TITLE VI--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART B
Subtitle C--Other Provisions
SEC. 625. WAIVER OF PART B LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTY FOR CERTAIN
MILITARY RETIREES; SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD.
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1839(b) (42
U.S.C. 1395r(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
`No increase in the premium shall be effected for a month in the case of an
individual who enrolls under this part during 2001, 2002, 2003, or 2004 and
who demonstrates to the Secretary before December 31, 2004, that the individual
is a covered beneficiary (as defined in section 1072(5) of title 10, United
States Code). The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with
the Secretary of Defense in identifying individuals described in the previous
sentence.'.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made
by paragraph (1) shall apply to premiums for months beginning with January
2004. The Secretary shall establish a method for providing rebates of premium
penalties paid for months on or after January 2004 for which a penalty does
not apply under such amendment but for which a penalty was previously collected.
(b) MEDICARE PART B SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD-
(1) IN GENERAL- In the case of any
individual who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is eligible to
enroll but is not enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security
Act and is a covered beneficiary (as defined in section 1072(5) of title 10,
United States Code), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide
for a special enrollment period during which the individual may enroll under
such part. Such period shall begin as soon as possible after the date of the
enactment of this Act and shall end on December 31, 2004.
(2) COVERAGE PERIOD- In the case of
an individual who enrolls during the special enrollment period provided under
paragraph (1), the coverage period under part B of title XVIII of the Social
Security Act shall begin on the first day of the month following the month
in which the individual enrolls.
