To establish an Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Advocate.

1. Adds SEC. 133. OFFICE OF THE MEDICARE BENEFICIARY ADVOCATE at the end of subtitle D of title I

   Adds a section

   In S. 1 · Reported to Senate

   (b) Matters Analyzed.--The analysis described in subsection (A) shall compare the long-term obligations of the Medicare program to the dedicated funding sources for that program (other than general revenue transfers), including the combined obligations of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1817 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i) and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1841 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395t).

   Inserted: SEC. 133. OFFICE OF THE MEDICARE BENEFICIARY ADVOCATE.

   Inserted: (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish within the Department of Health and Human Services, an Office of the Medicare Beneficiary Advocate (in this section referred to as the "Office").

   Inserted: (b) Duties.--The Office shall carry out the following activities:

   Inserted: (1) Establishing a toll-free telephone number for medicare beneficiaries to use to obtain information on the medicare program, and particularly with respect to the benefits provided under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the Medicare Prescription Drug plans and MedicareAdvantage plans offering such benefits. The Office shall ensure that the toll-free telephone number accommodates beneficiaries with disabilities and limited-English proficiency.

   Inserted: (2) Establishing an Internet website with easily accessible information regarding Medicare Prescription Drug plans and MedicareAdvantage plans and the benefits offered under such plans. The website shall--

   Inserted: (A) be updated regularly to reflect changes in services and benefits, including with respect to the plans offered in a region and the associated monthly premiums, benefits offered, formularies, and contact information for such plans, and to ensure that there are no broken links or errors;

   Inserted: (B) have printer-friendly, downloadable fact sheets on the medicare coverage options and benefits;

   Inserted: (C) be easy to navigate, with large print and easily recognizable links; and

   Inserted: (D) provide links to the websites of the eligible entities participating in part D of title XVIII.

   Inserted: (3) Providing regional publications to medicare beneficiaries that include regional contacts for information, and that inform the beneficiaries of the prescription drug benefit options under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, including with respect to--

   Inserted: (A) monthly premiums;

   Inserted: (B) formularies; and

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   Inserted: (C) the scope of the benefits offered.

   Inserted: (4) Conducting outreach to medicare beneficiaries to inform the beneficiaries of the medicare coverage options and benefits under parts A, B, C, and D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

   Inserted: (5) Working with local benefits administrators, ombudsmen, local benefits specialists, and advocacy groups to ensure that medicare beneficiaries are aware of the medicare coverage options and benefits under parts A, B, C, and D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

   Inserted: (c) Funding.--

   Inserted: (1) Establishment.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under the Secretary's discretion for administrative expenditures, $2,000,000 may be used to establish the Office in accordance with this section.

   Inserted: (2) Operation.--With respect to each fiscal year occurring after the fiscal year in which the Office is established under this section, the Secretary may use, out of amounts authorized to be appropriated under the Secretary's discretion for administrative expenditures for such fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to operate the Office in that fiscal year.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

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As printed