Many U.S. citizens living abroad are unfairly penalized for not enrolling in Medicare Part B, even though they cannot use its benefits outside the United States. If they fail to enroll upon reaching eligibility, they face a 10% lifetime penalty for every year they go without coverage, effective immediately when they do enroll and continuing till death. However, those with U.S.-based employer health insurance are exempt from these penalties.

Citizens residing in countries where Medicare does not provide coverage are often required to participate in and pay for local health insurance. Forcing them to also pay for Medicare Part B, which they cannot use, creates an undue financial burden.

We urge lawmakers to exempt U.S. citizens living abroad from the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty if they reside in a country where Medicare coverage is unavailable. They should be allowed to enroll without penalty upon returning to the U.S., just as those with employer-based coverage can.

This change would ensure fair treatment of Americans abroad and prevent the financial hardship of paying for two health insurance systems, one which they cannot use. Please support this petition to bring much-needed reform to Medicare policy.