extension of or ace period for termination of supplementary medical insurance coverage where failure to pay premiums is die to good cause

extension of or ace period for termination of supplementary medical insurance coverage where failure to pay premiums is die to good causeSec. 257. (a) Section 1838(b) of the Social Security Act is amended by striking out “(not in excess of 90 days)” in the third sentence, and by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: “The grace period determined under the preceding sentence shall not exceed 90 days; except that it may be extended to not to exceed 180 days in any case where the Secretary determines that there was good cause for failure to pay the overdue premiums within such 90-day period.” (b) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to nonpayment of premiums which become due and payable on or after the date of the enactment of this Act or which became payable within the 90-day period immediately preceding such date; and for purposes of such amendments any premium which became due and payable within such 90-day period shall be considered a premium becoming due and payable on the date of the enactment of this Act.