§426a Transitional Provision on Eligibility of Uninsured Individuals for Hospital Insurance Benefits

Summary

Lets certain uninsured people age 65 or older be treated as if they have hospital insurance (Medicare Part A) for months they meet a set of rules. To qualify they must be at least 65, either have turned 65 before 1968 or have at least 3 quarters of coverage for each calendar year after 1966 up to the year they turned 65, not already be eligible for hospital insurance or a certain railroad benefit, live in the United States, and be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. continuously for the five years before the month they apply. They must apply in the way the Secretary requires. If they would have qualified in an earlier month but did not apply then, they will be treated as having met the rules for that month if they file within 12 months after that month. No application filed more than three months before the first month of eligibility will be accepted. People are excluded if, at the start of their first eligible month, they are a member of an organization named in section 410(a)(17), have a disqualifying criminal conviction listed in section 402(u), or are covered (or were covered on February 16, 1965, or could have been covered) by the Federal employees’ health plan in chapter 89 of title 5, with a limited exception when that coverage ends because of leaving Federal service. Money may be appropriated to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund each fiscal year, as the Secretary thinks needed, to pay those benefits, related extra administrative costs, and any lost interest so the fund ends the year as it would have without these rules.