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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain individuals to purchase |
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Medicare supplement benefit plans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1652, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1652.059 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1652.059. COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS YOUNGER |
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THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity" means an entity that |
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delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare supplement benefit plan |
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in this state. |
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(b) An entity that offers coverage under a Medicare |
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supplement benefit plan to individuals 65 years of age or older must |
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offer the same coverage to individuals younger than 65 years of age |
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who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason of |
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disability or end stage renal disease. |
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(c) Except as otherwise provided by rules adopted under |
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Section 1652.051, any benefit, protection, policy, or procedure |
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applicable to coverage under a plan for an individual 65 years of |
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age or older must apply to coverage offered under Subsection (b). |
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(d) An entity shall offer to individuals younger than 65 |
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years of age who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason |
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of disability or end stage renal disease an open enrollment period |
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for coverage offered under Subsection (b) that begins on July 1, |
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2024, and ends not earlier than January 1, 2025. This subsection |
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expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a Medicare supplement benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, |
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or renewed on or after July 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |