89R9301 SCF-D     By: Guillen H.B. No. 2516       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.  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   disability or end stage renal disease.          (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)  An entity shall offer a plan under Subsection (b) at the   same premium rate charged for that plan to an individual 65 years of   age.          Sec. 1652.060.  OPEN AND SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS 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:                (1)  the six-month period beginning the first day of   the first month the individual becomes enrolled for benefits under   Medicare Part B;                (2)  a 60-day open enrollment period each year   beginning on the date of the individual's birth; or                (3)  a special enrollment period designated by the   commissioner.          (c)  During an enrollment period, an entity may not:                (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 an 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; or                (3)  impose an exclusion of benefits based on an   applicant's preexisting condition.          (d)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to   administer this section, including rules designating enrollment   periods.          SECTION 2.  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 3.  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 disability or end stage renal disease   on the effective date of this Act may apply for coverage under a   Medicare supplement benefit plan:                (1)  after August 31, 2025, and before March 2, 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 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.