Section 226(a)(2) of the Social Security Act revised the requirements for entitlement
to Hospital Insurance (HI) benefits to permit separate filing of applications for
HI only. Beginning 1/1/81, individuals can file for HI benefits only on their own
SSN or on a NH's SSN to which they may be entitled as an auxiliary.
This change in law eliminated inequities experienced when individuals were required
to elect monthly benefits to acquire Medicare coverage.