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