Early-onset Alzheimer’s patients could enroll in Medicare before 65

The Health and Human Services Secretary would allow eligible people to enroll in Medicare hospital, medical, and prescription drug coverage. This covers people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s under Social Security’s definition who do not currently qualify for Medicare hospital or medical coverage but would qualify for at least one at age 65. Enrollees would receive the same benefits and protections as people with Medicare hospital, medical, and drug coverage, including access to Medicare Advantage drug plans and Medicare’s member-help office. They would pay any applicable hospital, medical, and drug-plan premiums as if they were 65. The option would not change anyone else’s Medicare or Medicaid benefits or eligibility. The first enrollment window would last three months and begin on the first day of the month after diagnosis. Coverage would begin on the first day of the month after enrollment. The Secretary would also offer special enrollment periods similar to Medicare medical coverage.

The Health and Human Services Secretary would let eligible enrollees buy Medigap and require insurers to make policies available. The rule would cover people eligible for the early-onset Alzheimer’s Medicare option and companies that sell Medigap policies in a state. The Secretary would ask the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to revise Medigap package standards to include this availability rule. A person would have to apply during the six months after enrolling through the Medicare option.

The Health and Human Services Secretary would update Medicare information to explain who can use the enrollment option. This includes Medicare guides and notices, such as Medicare & You and Welcome to Medicare. The updates would be due no later than 30 days after the proposal becomes law.