(WBEN) - A group of Congressional and Senate Democrats are introducing legislation that would give people between the ages of 50 and 64 the option of buying into Medicare early.
The new Medicare Buy In and Health Care Stabilization Act will be introduced in the House this week.
Why offer the option to buy in to Medicare at 50?
"The thought is that it might be less expensive than purchasing in the individual market on the exchanges in certain states," said Don Ingalls, Vice President of State and Federal Relations with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of WNY.
"Insurance companies write policies... but those policies are typically very expensive with big co-pays," said Congressman Brian Higgins, who will help introduce the bill. "Typically you'll find that people's problems with their insurance don't start until they need the insurance that they've already pad too much for."
"One of then features that the bill includes is the ability to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, which are plans that are offered through health insurers like Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This bill would allow people the option... and we think that's a step in the right direction," Ingalls said.