TITLE II--MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

Subtitle A--Implementation of Medicare Advantage Program

SEC. 201. IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL- There is hereby established the Medicare Advantage program. The Medicare Advantage program shall consist of the program under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (as amended by this Act).

(b) REFERENCES- Subject to subsection (c), any reference to the program under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act shall be deemed a reference to the Medicare Advantage program and, with respect to such part, any reference to `Medicare+Choice' is deemed a reference to `Medicare Advantage' and `MA'.

(c) TRANSITION- In order to provide for an orderly transition and avoid beneficiary and provider confusion, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate transition in the use of the terms `Medicare+Choice' and `Medicare Advantage' (or `MA') in reference to the program under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such transition shall be fully completed for all materials for plan years beginning not later than January 1, 2006. Before the completion of such transition, any reference to `Medicare Advantage' or `MA' shall be deemed to include a reference to `Medicare+Choice'.