EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 679B of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2 the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 6, inclusive, of this act.

1-3 Sec. 2. "Office" means the office of consumer health assistance.

1-4 Sec. 3. 1. The office of consumer health assistance is hereby

1-5 created within the division. The commissioner shall appoint such

1-6 personnel as are necessary to perform the duties of the office, including,

1-7 without limitation, providers of health care. The personnel so appointed:

1-8 (a) Must be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties

1-9 and functions of the office; and

1-10 (b) Are in the classified service of the state.

1-11 2. As used in this section, "provider of health care" has the meaning

1-12 ascribed to it in NRS 629.031.

1-13 Sec. 4. 1. The office shall report annually to the commissioner

1-14 concerning the information collected and maintained pursuant to

1-15 paragraph (g) of subsection 1 of NRS 679B.550. The information must

1-16 be reported at the time and in the form and manner required by the

1-17 commissioner.

2-1 2. On or before February 1 of each year, the commissioner shall

2-2 submit a written report to the director of the legislative counsel bureau

2-3 for transmittal to the appropriate legislative committees. The report must

2-4 include, without limitation:

2-5 (a) A statement of the number and geographic origin of the written

2-6 and telephonic inquiries received by the office and the issues to which

2-7 those inquiries related;

2-8 (b) A statement of the type of assistance provided, including, without

2-9 limitation, the number of referrals made and the agencies, departments

2-10 and other entities to which those referrals were made; and

2-11 (c) The disposition of all inquiries and complaints received by the

2-12 office.

2-13 Sec. 5. 1. In appropriate cases and under the direction of the

2-14 commissioner, the office shall refer a complaint or the results of an

2-15 investigation conducted pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 679B.550 to the

2-16 governmental agencies with authority to enforce applicable laws and

2-17 regulations. If, pursuant to a complaint received by the office or the

2-18 results of an investigation conducted pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS

2-19 679B.550, the office has reasonable cause to believe that fraud was or is

2-20 being committed, the office shall forthwith notify the commissioner and

2-21 the attorney general.

2-22 2. The office shall provide the commissioner with any information he

2-23 requests that is within the scope of the duties of the office pursuant to

2-24 sections 3 to 6, inclusive, of this act.

2-25 Sec. 6. The division shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to

2-26 carry out the provisions of sections 3 to 6, inclusive, of this act.

2-27 Sec. 7. NRS 679B.510 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-28 679B.510 As used in NRS 679B.510 to 679B.560, inclusive, and

2-32 sections.

2-33 Sec. 8. NRS 679B.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-34 679B.550 1. The division , through the office of consumer health

2-42 responsible for addressing the specific type of inquiry;

3-1 [3.] (c) Refer consumers of health care to the appropriate agency,

3-2 department or other entity that is responsible for addressing the specific

3-3 type of complaint of the consumer;

3-4 [4.] (d) Provide counseling and assistance to consumers of health care

3-5 concerning health care plans;

3-6 [5. Educate]

3-7 (e) Provide education to consumers of health care concerning health

3-8 care plans in this state [; and

3-9 6.] , including, without limitation:

3-10 (1) Explaining:

3-11 (I) The terms of health care plans;

3-12 (II) The rights and responsibilities of consumers of health care

3-13 relating to health care plans, including, without limitation, any

3-14 complaint, grievance or appeal procedures; and

3-15 (III) The fundamentals of advocating their own cases;

3-16 (2) Preparing and obtaining educational materials relating to

3-17 health care plans for distribution to consumers of health care; and

3-18 (3) Offering other educational activities relating to health care

3-19 plans;

3-20 (f) Maintain and make available, upon request, to the general public,

3-21 governmental agencies or the legislature, copies of current federal and

3-22 state statutes and regulations relating to health care;

3-23 (g) Adopt and maintain a system for the collection and maintenance

3-24 of information relating to the written and telephonic inquiries received by

3-25 the office pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b); and

3-26 (h) Take such actions as are necessary to ensure public awareness of the

3-27 existence and purpose of the services provided by the division , through

3-28 the office of consumer health assistance, pursuant to this section.

3-29 2. The division, through the office of consumer health assistance,

3-30 may:

3-31 (a) Obtain such information from consumers of health care as is

3-32 necessary to carry out the duties of the office; and

3-33 (b) Investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf

3-34 of consumers of health care.

3-35 Sec. 9. 1. This section and sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 to 8, inclusive, of

3-36 this act become effective on July 1, 1999.

3-37 2. Section 4 of this act becomes effective on January 1, 2000.