Applications for retirement age monthly benefits are also applications for HI. Thus, a separate HI application is not required if an individual:

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  becomes entitled to monthly RSI benefits at age 65 or later (HI is effective with the first month of RSI benefit entitlement), or

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  was entitled to a reduced RSI benefit prior to age 65 (HI is effective with the month the individual attains age 65).

HI may begin earlier than the first month of RSI benefit entitlement if the individual was eligible for HI during any of the 6 months prior to the month of filing but RSI benefit entitlement is restricted to a later month. In such cases, HI begins with the first month during the 6 months prior to the month of filing in which the individual is age 65 and eligible for monthly RSI benefits.

There is no separate HI application requirement for RR annuitants or pensioners or for individuals who have been or would be considered under the SS guaranty provision in computing the RR annuitant's benefits.

For full instructions on the circumstances under which a statement filed with a hospital by, or on behalf of, an inpatient will protect the filing date for HI see GN 00204.010. A statement meeting the conditions of GN 00204.006 and GN 00204.010A.4. protects the filing date for HI, not only under the regular insured provision, but under all HI entitlement provisions (i.e., deemed insured, ESRD, Premium-HI, and even for the disabled who can establish HI as of the first month of entitlement to a second period of disability benefits because they met the 24-month waiting period requirement during an earlier period of disability entitlement). To protect entitlement to Premium-HI, however, the individual must have completed the statement during an enrollment period and already be entitled to SMI, or have filed a request for SMI during a prescribed enrollment period.