Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Coverage Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a Medicare buy-in for people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It would let eligible adults enroll in Medicare Parts A, B, and D early and access the same benefits and protections as traditional Medicare.
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- People diagnosed who would be Medicare-eligible at age 65 but are not currently entitled could buy in during a 3-month window after their first diagnosis, with coverage starting the month after enrollment. They would receive the same Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits, could join Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage, and would pay the premiums that apply to a typical 65-year-old.
- Families and caregivers would gain earlier access to covered hospital, doctor, and prescription services for affected relatives, which may help with treatment planning and care coordination.
- Enrollees could buy Medicare supplemental (Medigap) coverage if they apply within a six-month window after enrollment, and the Secretary must ensure at least one Medigap policy is available in each state. The Secretary would also request that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners review and revise model standards so Medigap issuers comply with the buy-in rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Medicare buy-in for early-onset Alzheimer's
If enacted, the bill would let people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's buy into Medicare before age 65 if they would be eligible for Medicare at age 65 but are not already entitled to Part A. Enrollees would receive the same Parts A, B, and D benefits and protections, including the option to join a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage and access to the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman. You would have a three-month enrollment period that starts on the first day of the month after your first diagnosis, and coverage would begin the first day of the month after you enroll. You would pay the same monthly Part A, Part B, and Part D premiums as if you were age 65 and not otherwise entitled to Part A, and you could apply for a certified Medigap policy within six months; the Secretary must ensure at least one such policy is available in each State.
Medigap standards update for buy-in
If enacted, the bill would require the HHS Secretary to ask the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to review and revise Medigap benefit-package standards so issuers meet the buy-in policy availability rules. The revisions would follow existing rules for model regulation and would use the NAIC model published in the Federal Register on December 4, 1998, as updated. This would support making at least one certified Medigap policy available in each State for eligible buy-in enrollees.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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