House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors from Medicare Penalties

Local Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D., alongside three other members of Congress, introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday aimed at preventing costly Medicare enrollment mistakes that are costing hundreds of thousands of seniors money each month.

The BENES 2.0 Act would require the federal government to include Medicare eligibility information in Social Security statements sent to people ages 60-65, giving them advance warning about enrollment deadlines and requirements.

According to a release from Ruiz’s office, about 776,000 Medicare beneficiaries pay late enrollment penalties, averaging 27% higher monthly premiums for life. With 10,000 Baby Boomers becoming eligible for Medicare daily, more people face navigating complex enrollment rules without automatic coverage.

Other representatives backing the bill include Dwight Evans (D-PA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Brad Schneider (D-IL), who say the problem stems from insufficient notification about Medicare's enrollment windows.

The bill builds on the original BENES Act, which became law and addressed some Medicare enrollment issues. BENES 2.0 focuses specifically on early notification to prevent penalties before they occur.

More than 85 organizations back the legislation, including AARP, AFL-CIO, Medicare Rights Center, and major health insurers. The timing coincides with Social Security's 90th anniversary on Wednesday.