Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act of 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 53 · Passed House · Dec 8, 2020
Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act of 2020 or the BENES Act of 2020
This bill modifies requirements relating to Medicare enrollment, coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients, secondary payer reporting, and hospice survey requirements.
Among other provisions, the bill
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generally requires Medicare coverage to begin on the first day of the month following enrollment for individuals who enroll in the latter months of their initial enrollment period;
requires Social Security account statements for individuals attaining ages 63 to 65 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, and other information;
indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage;
requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to share Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug benefit enrollment information with liability insurers in response to Medicare secondary payer inquiries; and
establishes survey requirements for, and enforcement mechanisms against, certified hospice programs under Medicare.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6993-6997)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2477.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6993-7000)
Mr. Larson (CT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-621, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-621, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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