Railroad Board Requests Comments on Updated Medicare Qualification Forms
Published Date: 3/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The Railroad Retirement Board is asking for public feedback on new and updated Medicare forms that help decide who qualifies for Medicare benefits and special enrollment periods. These changes affect railroad workers and their families, aiming to make the paperwork easier and clearer. Comments are welcome within 30 days to help keep the process smooth and fair, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Employer plan info used to check SEP or surcharge relief
The RRB will use Form RL-311-F, Evidence of Coverage Under An Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP), to get information about any employer group health plan coverage you have so it can determine whether you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period and/or premium surcharge relief.
RRB updates Medicare application forms
If you are covered by the railroad retirement system, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) uses Forms AA-6 (employee), AA-7 (spouse/divorced spouse), and AA-8 (widow/widower) to collect the information needed to decide if you qualify for Medicare under Title XVIII. The agency says the changes are intended to make the paperwork easier and clearer for railroad workers and their families.
New form AA-23 for enrollment periods
The RRB will use a new Form AA-23, Application for Medicare—Medical Insurance (Part B), to collect information from qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries to decide if they are eligible to enroll through the Initial Enrollment Period, a Special Enrollment Period, or the General Enrollment Period.
New SEP form for exceptional conditions
The RRB will use a new Form AA-24, Application for Medicare Part B—Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Conditions), to collect the information needed to determine if a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary is entitled to a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional condition.
RRB expects no extra costs for respondents
The RRB states these proposed information collections are not expected to impose additional costs on respondents and requests only one response per respondent. The agency is seeking public comments within 30 days to review burden and clarity.
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Key Dates
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