Equitable relief is available to certain individuals who refused or dropped Part B
because they are or were enrolled in an individual Marketplace plan.
We may consider equitable relief on a case-by-case basis for certain dually-enrolled
beneficiaries (those who have or had both Medicare and Marketplace coverage) of any
age who refused or dropped Part B and for those who subsequently enrolled in Part
B during the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020 GEP.
NOTE: Beneficiaries who meet the eligibility criteria can request the relief at any time.
Beneficiaries who refused or dropped Part B may receive equitable relief in the form
of an enrollment opportunity with an effective date outlined in Section D of this
instruction. No late enrollment penalty will apply for individuals who enroll in Part
B under this limited equitable relief.
Beneficiaries eligible for equitable relief who enrolled in Part B during the 2015,
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020 GEP and are paying a premium surcharge, may request
to have the surcharge reduced. We will reduce premium surcharges to zero for eligible
individuals. Excess premiums will be refunded or applied to retroactive premiums,
if applicable.