Summary
Removes the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare for people with metastatic breast cancer.
What problem does this solve?
People with late-stage breast cancer often face long waits for financial help and health coverage. This bill removes those waiting periods so they can get support right away.
Who does this affect?
- Individuals with metastatic breast cancer
- Families of cancer patients
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 2(a)
Header:
Elimination of waiting period for individuals with metastatic breast cancer
Eliminates disability benefits waiting period
Removes the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 3(a)
Header:
Waiver of 24-month waiting period for medicare coverage
Eliminates medicare coverage waiting period
Gets rid of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer who are eligible for disability benefits.
What is the real world impact?
•
Provides faster access to care
Ensures that individuals with a terminal breast cancer diagnosis can get financial support and health coverage immediately, without waiting periods that they may not outlive.
When does this start?
The changes in this bill take effect at different times after it becomes law.
Disability benefit changes
The removal of the waiting period for disability benefits applies to all applications filed after the bill is signed into law.
Medicare coverage changes
The removal of the waiting period for Medicare coverage applies to benefits for months that begin after the bill is signed into law.