HHS announces Medicare info for people in same-sex marriages

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services today announced that the Social Security Administration is now able to process requests for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Periods, and reductions in Part B and premium Part A late-enrollment penalties for certain eligible people in same-sex marriages.

According to a HHS media release, the federal agency is processing the requests in response to the June 26, 2013, Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Windsor, which held section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.

Because of this ruling, Medicare is no longer prevented by DOMA from recognizing same-sex marriages for determining entitlement to, or eligibility, for Medicare.

While Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, SSA is responsible for determining eligibility for, and enrolling people in, Medicare, according to the release.