H.B. No. 2516
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of certain individuals younger than 65
  years of age to purchase Medicare supplement benefit plans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Chris Larkin ALS
  Act.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1652, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 1652.059 and 1652.060 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 1652.059.  COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS YOUNGER
  THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity" means an entity that
  delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare supplement benefit plan
  in this state.
         (b)  An entity that offers coverage under a Medicare
  supplement benefit plan to individuals 65 years of age or older must
  offer the same coverage to individuals younger than 65 years of age
  who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason of end stage
  renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
         (c)  Except as otherwise provided by rules adopted under
  Section 1652.051, any benefit, protection, policy, or procedure
  applicable to coverage under a plan for an individual 65 years of
  age or older must apply to coverage offered under Subsection (b).
         (d)  A standardized Plan A, Plan B, or Plan D Medicare
  supplement benefit plan offered under Subsection (b) must be
  offered at the same premium rate charged for the plan to an
  individual 65 years of age.  A premium rate for a Medicare
  supplement benefit plan offered under Subsection (b), other than
  Plan A, Plan B, or Plan D, may not exceed 200 percent of the premium
  rate charged for the same plan to an individual 65 years of age.
         Sec. 1652.060.  ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
  YOUNGER THAN 65. (a) In this section, "entity" means an entity
  that delivers or issues for delivery a Medicare supplement benefit
  plan in this state.
         (b)  An individual eligible for coverage under a Medicare
  supplement benefit plan under Section 1652.059 may enroll any time
  during the six-month period beginning the first day of the first
  month the individual becomes enrolled for benefits under Medicare
  Part B.
         (c)  During an enrollment period, an entity may not, with
  respect to an applicant who is an individual described by
  Subsection (b):
               (1)  deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of
  a Medicare supplement benefit plan or certificate that the entity
  offers and is available for issuance in this state;
               (2)  subject the applicant to medical underwriting or
  discriminate in the price of a Medicare supplement benefit plan or
  certificate because of the applicant's health status, claims
  experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition;
               (3)  impose a waiting period; or
               (4)  impose a limitation or exclusion of benefits based
  on the applicant's preexisting condition.
         (d)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
  administer this section, including rules designating enrollment
  periods.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a Medicare supplement benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery,
  or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 4.  In addition to other enrollment periods provided
  by law, an individual younger than 65 years of age and enrolled in
  Medicare Part B by reason of end stage renal disease or amyotrophic
  lateral sclerosis on the effective date of this Act may apply for
  coverage under a Medicare supplement benefit plan:
               (1)  after December 1, 2025, and before June 1, 2026; or
               (2)  if the individual is unable to submit an
  application for coverage under the plan during the period described
  by Subdivision (1) of this section because the application is not
  available and the individual requested the application during that
  period, during a six-month period beginning on the date the
  application initially becomes available.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2516 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 19, 1 present, not
  voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
  H.B. No. 2516 on May 28, 2025, and requested the appointment of a
  conference committee to consider the differences between the two
  houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
  on H.B. No. 2516 on June 1, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 132,
  Nays 5, 2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2516 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
  committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
  that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
  2516 on June 1, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor