As of April 3, 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) 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.
This step, taken by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is 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 (DOMA) 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.
Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The SSA is responsible for determining eligibility for, and enrolling people in, Medicare. For additional information, please visit: http://medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/same-sex-marriage.html.
