HOME HEALTH TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AND INVESTIGATIVE UNIT.

SEC. 4025. HOME HEALTH TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AND INVESTIGATIVE UNIT. (a) In General.— Section 1864(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395aa(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “Any agreement under this subsection shall provide for the appropriate State or local agency to maintain a toll-free hotline (1) to collect, maintain, and continually update information on home health agencies located in the State or locality that are certified to participate in the program established under this title (which information shall include any significant deficiencies found with respect to patient care in the most recent certification survey conducted with respect to the agency, when that survey was completed, whether corrective actions have been taken or are planned, and the sanctions, if any, imposed under this title with respect to the agency) and (2) to receive complaints (and answer questions) with respect to home health agencies in the State or locality. Any such agreement shall provide for such agency to maintain a unit for investigating such complaints that possesses enforcement authority and has access to survey and certification reports, information gathered by any private accreditation agency pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary under section 1864, and consumer medical records (but only with the consent of the consumer or his or her legal representative).”. (b) Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to agreements entered into or renewed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.