BENES 2.0 Act

The BENES 2.0 Act would require the Medicare eligibility information to be included in Social Security account statements for people aged 60 to 65, and would also create a new notice requirement for Social Security beneficiaries who are not yet eligible for Medicare but are approaching eligibility. The notices would explain Medicare eligibility, the Part B enrollment process, potential late enrollment penalties and relief options (including retroactive enrollment), coordination of benefits with other coverage, and resources for help. The bill also directs regular development, updating, and outreach of the notice content, with input from a broad set of stakeholders, and requires posting the notices on SSA and Medicare websites. In addition to the new notices, the bill preserves existing mailed statements and adjusts the timing of when statements about turning 65 are sent. A separate provision would require similar notices to be distributed to Social Security beneficiaries before they reach Medicare eligibility, with timing tied to their initial enrollment period.