Section 3312

SEC. 3312. UNIFORM EXCEPTIONS AND APPEALS PROCESS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS AND MA-PD PLANS.

[a] In General- Section 1860D-4[b][3] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395w-104[b][3]] is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

'[H] USE OF SINGLE, UNIFORM EXCEPTIONS AND APPEALS PROCESS- Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, each PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan shall--

'[i] use a single, uniform exceptions and appeals process [including, to the extent the Secretary determines feasible, a single, uniform model form for use under such process] with respect to the determination of prescription drug coverage for an enrollee under the plan; and

'[ii] provide instant access to such process by enrollees through a toll-free telephone number and an Internet website.'.

[b] Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection [a] shall apply to exceptions and appeals on or after January 1, 2012.