Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 5.djvu/601

 PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX F 114 STAT. 2763A-561 (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: "(iv) Requirements relating to marketing materials and summaries and schedules of benefits regarding a Medicare+Choice plan.", (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.— The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 615. ELECTION OF UNIFORM LOCAL COVERAGE POLICY FOR MEDICARE+CHOICE PLAN COVERING MULTIPLE LOCAL- ITIES. Section 1852(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: "(C) ELECTION OF UNIFORM COVERAGE POLICY. —In the case of a Medicare+Choice organization that offers a Medicare+Choice plan in an area in which more than one local coverage policy is applied with respect to different parts of the area, the organization may elect to have the local coverage policy for the part of the area that is most beneficial to Medicare+Choice enrollees (as identified by the Secretary) apply with respect to all Medicare+Choice enrollees enrolled in the plan.". SEC. 616. ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN MEDICARE+CHOICE PROGRAM. (a) QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM FOCUS ON RACIAL AND ETH- NIC MINORITIES. —Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1852(e)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)(2)) are each amended by adding at the end the following: "Such program shall include a separate focus (with respect to all the elements described in this subparagraph) on racial and ethnic minorities.". (b) REPORT.— Section 1852(e) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(5) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— "(A) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report regarding how quality assurance programs conducted under this subsection focus on racial and ethnic minorities. "(B) CONTENTS OF REPORT. —Each such report shall include the following: "(i) A description of the means by which such programs focus on such racial and ethnic minorities. "(ii) An evaluation of the impact of such programs on eliminating health disparities and on improving health outcomes, continuity and coordination of care, management of chronic conditions, and consumer satisfaction. "(iii) Recommendations on ways to reduce clinical outcome disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.". SEC. 617. MEDICARE+CHOICE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WITH EMPLOYER OR UNION GROUP HEALTH PLANS. (a) IN GENERAL. —Section 1857 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-27) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

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