House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan BENES 2.0 Act Ahead of Social Security’s 90th Anniversary to Protect Seniors from Medicare Penalties
Washington, D.C. —Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced the introduction of the BENES 2.0 Act, aimed at protecting Americans approaching Medicare eligibility from costly and confusing enrollment penalties. The bill’s rollout occurs at the same time as the 90th anniversary of Social Security, reinforcing the lawmakers’ commitment to improving access and understanding for critical retirement-era benefits. Complex Medicare enrollment rules and insufficient notification are causing tens of thousands of older adults and individuals with disabilities to face lifetime fines, gaps in coverage, and unexpected health care costs. With fewer individuals automatically enrolled in Medicare—and approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers aging into eligibility every day—many are required to navigate active enrollment. Missing the initial window can result in permanent penalties. In 2020, about 776,000 Medicare beneficiaries were paying a Late Enrollment Penalty, which averaged nearly a 27% increase in their monthly premium. The BENES 2.0 Act directs the federal government to include critical Medicare eligibility and enrollment information in Social Security statements sent to individuals as they near Medicare eligibility—typically between ages 60 and 65—giving advanced notice and reducing confusion. This measure fills a longstanding gap in outreach and education.
“I’ve heard from many constituents who were confused by their Medicare options and ended up paying significant penalties due to simple misunderstandings about how the program works. We addressed some of those challenges with the original BENES Act, which is now law. BENES 2 builds on that progress by ensuring every American receives a clear, written explanation of their eligibility before they have to choose a plan. This will empower seniors to make better-informed decisions about their health care. I’m proud to be part of this bipartisan effort to simplify Medicare and make it more accessible and user-friendly for older Americans,” said Congressman Bilirakis.
“Too many hardworking Americans are blindsided by lifetime Medicare penalties because they didn’t know when or how to enroll. The BENES 2.0 Act is a commonsense, bipartisan fix that empowers people with advance information, helping protect their health and their finances,” said Congressman Ruiz. “As we honor Social Security’s 90th anniversary, let’s recommit to strengthening—not complicating—pathways to health coverage.”
“Medicare is an earned benefit, and we should make sure it’s easier for people who qualify to enroll in that earned benefit! I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill that could help hundreds of thousands of Americans to avoid costly penalties and receive crucial health care.” – Congressman Dwight Evans
“Our Medicare system exists to ensure our seniors have access to quality, affordable health care, but for too many older Americans the enrollment process can be a source of stress, confusion, and even lifelong financial penalties. The BENES Act – which I coauthored and is now law – made commonsense updates to improve education, fix the fragmented enrollment periods, and make sure fewer seniors fall through the cracks. I am proud to again join my colleagues in introducing BENES 2.0 to proactively provide seniors with better information about enrollment as they near Medicare eligibility.” – Congressman Schneider
The bill is backed by over 85 national and state organizations, including AARP, AFL-CIO, Medicare Rights Center, BlueCross BlueShield Association, Better Medicare Alliance, CVSHealth, and The Arc of the United States.
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