Entitlement to Hospital Insurance (HI) under Environmental Health Hazards (EHH) Medicare
can exist concurrently with HI entitlement based on age, disability, or ESRD. It is
advantageous for a beneficiary entitled to HI based on age, disability, or ESRD to
file an application for EHH Medicare if any one of the following applies:
-
•
The beneficiary is not currently enrolled in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI);
-
•
The beneficiary is paying a SMI premium surcharge because of late enrollment;
-
•
The date of entitlement to EHH Medicare would be earlier than the date of entitlement
to Medicare based on other criteria; or
-
•
The beneficiary, who is enrolled in Premium HI, Premium HI and SMI, or SMI only, can
now receive free HI.
NOTE: A beneficiary who already has Medicare based on age, disability, or ESRD may choose
to apply for EHH Medicare to have the beneficiary's record reflect entitlement to
Medicare based on EHH.