REPORTS AND STUDIES RELATING TO REGULATORY REFORM.

SEC. 904. REPORTS AND STUDIES RELATING TO REGULATORY REFORM.(a) GAO Study on Advisory Opinion Authority.—(1) Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of establishing in the Secretary authority to provide legally binding advisory opinions on appropriate interpretation and application of regulations to carry out the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such study shall examine the appropriate timeframe for issuing such advisory opinions, as well as the need for additional staff and funding to provide such opinions.(2) Report.—The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1) by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.(b) Report on Legal and Regulatory Inconsistencies.—Section 1871 (42 U.S.C. 1395hh), as amended by section 903(a)(1), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(f)(1) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report with respect to the administration of this title and areas of inconsistency or conflict among the various provisions under law and regulation. “(2) In preparing a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collect—“(A) information from individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, providers of services, and suppliers and from the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman with respect to such areas of inconsistency and conflict; and“(B) information from medicare contractors that tracks the nature of written and telephone inquiries.117 STAT. 2378“(3) A report under paragraph (1) shall include a description of efforts by the Secretary to reduce such inconsistency or conflicts, and recommendations for legislation or administrative action that the Secretary determines appropriate to further reduce such inconsistency or conflicts.”.