Effective Dates: 5/20/2025 - Present

Identification Number:
HI 00630 TN 16
Intended Audience:
Originating Office:ORDP OISP
Title:Medicare Coverage Outside U.S.
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM

Part HI – Health Insurance

Chapter 006 – Covered Services (HI-SMI)

Subchapter 30 – Medicare Coverage Outside U.S.

Transmittal No. 16, 05/20/2025

Originating Component

OISP

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

This transmittal clarifies policy and procedure for notifying beneficiaries outside the U.S. about eligibility to enroll in Medicare programs. It updates the time period for enrollment and also references new CMS material.

Summary of Changes

HI 00630.020 Initial Enrollment Procedures - Foreign Beneficiaries on the Social Security Rolls Approaching Age 65 or Disabled for 24 Months

  • •

    Changed that CMS notifies beneficiaries outside the U.S. about their entitlement to enroll in Supplemental Health Insurance.

  • •

    Updated that CMS mails an enrollment package 4 months before a beneficiary's 65th birthday.

  • •

    Updated reference to Office of Central Operations (OCO)

  • •

    Updated the CMS publication references.

  • •

    Changed form name from "HCFA-1739" to "CMS-1739."

  • •

    Removed instructions related to the enrollment card, which are now obsolete.

HI 00630.020 Initial Enrollment Procedures - Foreign Beneficiaries on the Social Security Rolls Approaching Age 65 or Disabled for 24 Months

CMS notifies beneficiaries living outside the United States about their entitlement to Health Insurance and eligibility to enroll in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) via the foreign initial enrollment period (IEP). CMS mails the foreign IEP package four months prior to reaching age 65 or four months prior to the 25th month of disability benefit entitlement. CMS sends the following foreign IEP package to each beneficiary:

  • •

    Welcome to Medicare letter;

  • •

    Welcome to Medicare booklet that provides an overview of the Medicare program;

  • •

    Form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)); and

  • •

    Return envelope to mail the Form CMS-40B to SSA's Division of International Operations (DIO).

For more information on the IEP, see HI 00805.015.


HI 00630 TN 16 - Medicare Coverage Outside U.S. - 5/20/2025