42 U.S.C. § 1395b-2
The Secretary shall prepare (in consultation with groups representing the elderly and with health insurers) and provide for distribution of a notice containing-
Such notice shall be mailed annually to individuals entitled to benefits under part A or part B of this subchapter and when an individual applies for benefits under part A or enrolls under part B.
The Secretary shall provide information via a toll-free telephone number on the programs under this subchapter. The Secretary shall provide, through the toll-free telephone number 1-800-MEDICARE, for a means by which individuals seeking information about, or assistance with, such programs who phone such toll-free number are transferred (without charge) to appropriate entities for the provision of such information or assistance. Such toll-free number shall be the toll-free number listed for general information and assistance in the annual notice under subsection (a) instead of the listing of numbers of individual contractors.
The notice provided under subsection (a) shall include-
The notice provided under subsection (a) shall include-
42 U.S.C. § 1395b-2
EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115-271 added subsec. (d). 2003-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108-173 inserted at end "The Secretary shall provide, through the toll-free telephone number 1-800-MEDICARE, for a means by which individuals seeking information about, or assistance with, such programs who phone such toll-free number are transferred (without charge) to appropriate entities for the provision of such information or assistance. Such toll-free number shall be the toll-free number listed for general information and assistance in the annual notice under subsection (a) instead of the listing of numbers of individual contractors." 1997-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-33 added subsec. (c).1994- Pub. L. 103-432 inserted "; medicare and medigap information" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 115-271, title VI, §6021(b), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 3977, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to notices distributed prior to each Medicare open enrollment period beginning after January 1, 2019."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 105-33, title IV, §4311(a)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 384, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to notices provided on or after January 1, 1998."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103-432 effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 101-508 see section 171(l) of Pub. L. 103-432 set out as a note under section 1395ss of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATEPub. L. 100-360, title II, §223(d)(1), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 748, provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall first distribute the notice required by the amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] not later than January 31, 1989."
MONITORING ACCURACY Pub. L. 108-173, title IX, §923(d)(2), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2395, provided that:"(A) STUDY.-The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to monitor the accuracy and consistency of information provided to individuals entitled to benefits under part A [probably means part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act which is classified to part A of this subchapter] or enrolled under part B [probably means part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.], or both, through the toll-free telephone number 1-800-MEDICARE, including an assessment of whether the information provided is sufficient to answer questions of such individuals. In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall examine the education and training of the individuals providing information through such number."(B) REPORT.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2003], the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subparagraph (A)."
STATE REGULATORY PROGRAMSFor provisions relating to changes required to conform State regulatory programs to amendments by section 171 of Pub. L. 103-432 see section 171(m) of Pub. L. 103-432 set out as a note under section 1395ss of this title.
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS Pub. L. 101-508, title IV, §4361(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-141, provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to conduct demonstration projects in up to 5 States for the purpose of establishing statewide toll-free telephone numbers for providing information on medicare benefits, medicare supplemental policies available in the State, and benefits under the State medicaid program."
NOTICE OF CHANGES UNDER REPEAL OF MEDICARE CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE Pub. L. 101-234, title II, §203(c), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1984, provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide, in the notice of medicare benefits provided under section 1804 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395b-2] for 1990, for a description of the changes in benefits under title XVIII of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] made by the amendments made by this Act [see Tables for classification]."
BENEFITS COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR CERTAIN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BENEFICIARIESPub. L. 100-360, title IV, §424, July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 812, which directed Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project to demonstrate that its volunteers were adequately trained and competent to render effective benefits counseling and assistance to the elderly, was repealed by Pub. L. 101-234, title III, §301(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1985.
- United States
- The term "United States" means (but only for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph) the fifty States and the District of Columbia.
- project
- The terms "federally assisted housing" and "project" mean-(A) a public housing project (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)] );(B) housing for which project-based assistance is provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] ;(C) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12;(D) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12, as such section existed before November 28, 1990;(E) housing financed by a loan or mortgage insured under section 1715l(d)(3) of title 12 that bears interest at a rate determined under the proviso of section 1715l(d)(5) of title 12;(F) housing insured, assisted, or held by the Secretary or a State or State agency under section 1715z-1 of title 12;(G) housing constructed or substantially rehabilitated pursuant to assistance provided under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f(b)(2)], as in effect before October 1, 1983, that is assisted under a contract for assistance under such section; and(H) housing that is assisted under section 8013 1 of this title.
- Secretary
- the term "Secretary" means- (A) the Secretary of Education for purposes of subtitle A (other than section 3201),(B) the Secretary of Agriculture for purposes of the amendments made by section 3201, and(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for purposes of subtitle B,