S. 3442 — Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

This section eliminates the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits (DIB) for individuals medically determined to have metastatic breast cancer, paralleling the existing waiver for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (Thus, such individuals become entitled to DIB for each month beginning with the first month during all of which they are under a disability.) The amendments apply to applications filed after the date of enactment.

This section waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) coverage for individuals under age 65 entitled to Social Security disability insurance benefits (or equivalent railroad retirement benefits) due to metastatic breast cancer, in addition to the existing waiver for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (As background, Medicare coverage for such disabled individuals generally begins after 24 months of disability benefit entitlement; thus, those with metastatic breast cancer qualify immediately upon entitlement.) The waiver applies to benefits for months beginning after the date of enactment.