Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021

Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021

This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility services.

Bill 117 HR 3650, also known as the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021, aims to address issues related to Medicare coverage for individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as dual-eligible individuals. The bill seeks to streamline the process for these individuals to enroll in Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient services such as doctor visits and preventive care.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a special enrollment period for dual-eligible individuals to sign up for Medicare Part B without facing penalties. Currently, these individuals may face delays or penalties when enrolling in Part B, which can result in gaps in coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs for necessary medical services.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve coordination between Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that dual-eligible individuals receive the full range of benefits to which they are entitled. This includes provisions to simplify the enrollment process and improve communication between the two programs. Overall, the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021 aims to address barriers to accessing Medicare coverage for dual-eligible individuals and improve the coordination of benefits between Medicare and Medicaid. By streamlining the enrollment process and improving communication between the programs, the bill seeks to ensure that these individuals receive the care they need without facing unnecessary delays or financial burdens.