House Bill 1848 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56, to expand access to Medicare supplement policies for non-age eligible individuals, defined as those under sixty-five who qualify for Medicare due to disability or end-stage renal disease. The bill mandates that insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to individuals aged sixty-five and older must also provide these policies to non-age eligible persons enrolled in Medicare. Additionally, it establishes that all benefits and protections applicable to seniors will similarly apply to non-age eligible individuals, ensuring equitable treatment in terms of policy offerings and pricing.

The bill introduces specific provisions regarding the issuance and pricing of Medicare supplement policies for non-age eligible applicants. Insurers are prohibited from denying coverage based on health status or medical conditions if the applicant applies within a designated timeframe after enrolling in Medicare Part B. Furthermore, non-age eligible individuals cannot be charged more than the weighted average aged premium rate for their policies, and such policies cannot include waiting periods or preexisting condition limitations. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to all relevant policies and contracts initiated or modified after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 56-7-1501, 56-7-1503(b), 56-7-1503, 56-7-1503(g)(1)(A), 56-7-1503(g)(1)(B), 56-7-1503(g)(1)(C), 56-7-1503(g)(2)