H.R. 6799 — BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2025

This section eliminates the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program for individuals medically determined to have young-onset Alzheimer’s (as defined by the Commissioner of Social Security through the Program Operations Manual System or successor document), allowing benefits to begin with the first month of disability (as for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). It makes a conforming change in subsection (a)(2)(B) to reference clause (iii) of subsection (a)(1). The amendments apply to applications filed after a date five months prior to enactment.

This section expands the existing waiver of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) coverage—currently available only to individuals entitled to Social Security disability benefits due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—to also include those entitled due to young-onset Alzheimer’s (as defined by the Commissioner through the Program Operations Manual System or successor). (As background, individuals under age 65 who qualify for Social Security disability benefits generally must wait 24 months after entitlement for Medicare Part A coverage; the waiver provides immediate coverage.) The change applies to benefits for months beginning after the date of enactment.