Skip to content
Govbase

Policy-Driven News

Govbase
Congress·In Committee

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Protect Seniors from Costly Medicare Enrollment Penalties While on COBRA

Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2025

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • This bill creates a new "Special Enrollment Period" for Medicare. It allows people who have COBRA health insurance—the temporary coverage you can keep after leaving a job—to sign up for Medicare Part B more easily without having to wait for the standard yearly sign-up window.
  • It eliminates expensive "late enrollment penalties" for these individuals. Currently, many people on COBRA do not realize they must sign up for Medicare immediately and end up paying higher monthly premiums for the rest of their lives. This bill would stop those extra charges for people transitioning from COBRA coverage.
  • The policy protects current benefits by preventing insurance companies from reducing or ending COBRA coverage just because a person becomes eligible for Medicare. It ensures COBRA stays fully active and pays for medical needs as if the person were not yet eligible for Medicare, until they actually choose to enroll.
  • If the bill becomes law, these changes would apply to COBRA coverage starting on or after January 1, 2026. The Labor Department would also be required to update the official notices sent to workers to clearly explain how Medicare and COBRA work together so people do not miss important deadlines.
Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Apr 8, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

1 article
Financial Regulation News·11 months ago

Rep. Smucker introduces legislation to improve health coverage for seniors

The Medicare Enrollment Protection Act aims to shield seniors who enroll in Medicare Part B after their COBRA coverage ends from potential coverage gaps and late enrollment penalties by creating a transition period that allows enrollment during any month they have active COBRA coverage.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 2744
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
D: 3R: 3

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.