Doctor Ruiz’s Bill to Help Seniors Access Medicare Coverage Advances During Energy and Commerce Markup

Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) advocated for his bill that would improve seniors' access to Medicare coverage by expanding beneficiary outreach and education to help clarify when and how to sign up for Medicare Part B and reducing gaps in coverage. Speaking during a full Energy and Commerce Committee Markup Wednesday, Dr. Ruiz showed how the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification an Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act of 2019 would help seniors avoid a lifetime of higher premiums by signing up for Medicare Part B during their initial enrollment period.

"This bill is very important because it will directly benefit seniors, especially seniors who cannot afford to pay higher premiums for the rest of their lives because they missed the initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B," said Dr. Ruiz. "This bipartisan piece of legislation will help seniors get the coverage they need without having to worry about a gap in coverage or a lifetime of higher premiums."

You can see Dr. Ruiz's remarks during the Energy and Commerce Committee Markup here.

Background

H.R. 2477, the BENES Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), would improve beneficiary outreach and education and reduce gaps in coverage. The BENES Act would require the Federal Government to send advance notice about the enrollment process to individuals approaching Medicare eligibility.

The bill would also require that Part B coverage begin during the first month after an individual enrolls, through either the initial enrollment period or general enrollment period.