117 STAT. 2136
PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003 ‘‘(G) RULES
IN CASE OF CHANGES IN PROGRAM ENROLLMENT DURING A YEAR.—The Secretary shall provide special
rules in the case of payment of an annual enrollment fee for a discount card eligible individual who changes the endorsed program in which the individual is enrolled during a year. ‘‘(3) ISSUANCE OF DISCOUNT CARD.—Each prescription drug card sponsor of an endorsed discount card program shall issue, in a standard format specified by the Secretary, to each discount card eligible individual enrolled in such program a card that establishes proof of enrollment and that can be used in a coordinated manner to identify the sponsor, program, and individual for purposes of the program under this section. ‘‘(4) PERIOD OF ACCESS.—In the case of a discount card eligible individual who enrolls in an endorsed program, access to negotiated prices and transitional assistance, if any, under such endorsed program shall take effect on such date as the Secretary shall specify. ‘‘(d) PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON ENROLLMENT AND PROGRAM FEATURES.— ‘‘(1) SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide for activities under this subsection to broadly disseminate information to discount card eligible individuals (and prospective eligible individuals) regarding— ‘‘(i) enrollment in endorsed discount card programs; and ‘‘(ii) the features of the program under this section, including the availability of transitional assistance. ‘‘(B) PROMOTION OF INFORMED CHOICE.—In order to promote informed choice among endorsed prescription drug discount card programs, the Secretary shall provide for the dissemination of information which— ‘‘(i) compares the annual enrollment fee and other features of such programs, which may include comparative prices for covered discount card drugs; and ‘‘(ii) includes educational materials on the variability of discounts on prices of covered discount card drugs under an endorsed program. The dissemination of information under clause (i) shall, to the extent practicable, be coordinated with the dissemination of educational information on other medicare options. ‘‘(C) SPECIAL RULE FOR INITIAL ENROLLMENT DATE UNDER THE PROGRAM.—To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure, through the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), that discount card eligible individuals are provided with such information at least 30 days prior to the initial enrollment date specified under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii). ‘‘(D) USE OF MEDICARE TOLL-FREE NUMBER.—The Secretary shall provide through the toll-free telephone number 1–800–MEDICARE for the receipt and response to inquiries and complaints concerning the program under this section and endorsed programs. ‘‘(2) PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES.—
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