,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aegf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ba1 #bjai,ms4 ,warren 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,ms4 ,baldwin1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,ms4 ,stabenow1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,ms4 ,harris1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 and ,mr4 ,murphy7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,behavioral ,health ,coverage ,transparency ,act4 #b4 ,strengthening parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits 7a7 ,public ,health ,service ,act ,section #bgbf7;a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;gg-#bf7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#h7 ,disclosure and enforcement requirements 7,a7 ,disclosure requirements 7i7 ,regulations ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 shall issue regulations for carrying out this section1 including an explanation of documents that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall disclose in accordance with clause 7ii71 the process governing the disclosure of such documents1 and analyses that such plans and issuers shall conduct in order to demonstrate compliance with this section4 7ii7 ,disclosure requirements ,the documents required to be disclosed by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance under clause 7i7 shall include an annual report that details the specific analyses performed to ensure compliance of such plan or issuer with this section1 including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this section4 ,at a minimum1 with respect to the application of nonquantitative treatment limitations 7in this paragraph referred to as ,n,q,t,ls7 to benefits under the plan or coverage1 such report shall-- 7,i7 identify the specific factors the plan or issuer used in performing its ,n,q,t,ls analysis2 7,,ii7 identify and define the specific evidentiary standards relied on to evaluate such factors2 7,,iii7 describe how the evidentiary standards are applied to each service category for mental health benefits1 substance use disorder benefits1 medical benefits1 and surgical benefits2 7,,iv7 disclose the results of the analyses of the specific evidentiary standards in each service category2 and 7,v7 disclose the specific findings of the plan or issuer in each service category and the conclusions reached with respect to whether the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iii7 ,guidance ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 shall issue guidance to group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage on how to satisfy the requirements of this section1 with respect to making information available to current and potential participants and beneficiaries4 ,such information shall include-- 7,i7 certificate of coverage documents and instruments under which the plan or coverage involved is administered and operated that specify1 include1 or refer to procedures1 formulas1 and methodologies applied to determine a participant's or beneficiary's benefit under the plan or coverage1 regardless of whether such information is contained in a document designated as the plan document2 and 7,,ii7 a disclosure of how the plan or issuer involved has provided that processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 and other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iv7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph and paragraph 7#g71 the terms nonquantitative treatment limitations1 comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than have the meanings given such terms in sections #adf4acf and #adg4afj of title #de1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation74 7,b7 ,enforcement 7i7 ,process for complaints ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 shall1 with respect to group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage1 issue guidance to clarify the process and timeline for current and potential participants and beneficiaries 7and authorized representatives and health care providers of such participants and beneficiaries7 with respect to such plans and coverage to file formal complaints of such plans or issuers being in violation of this section1 including guidance1 by plan type1 on the relevant ,state1 regional1 and national offices with which such complaints should be filed4 7ii7 ,audits 7,i7 ,randomized audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 as applicable1 shall conduct randomized audits of group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to determine compliance with this section4 ,such audits shall be conducted on no fewer than #ab plans or coverages per plan year4 7,,ii7 ,additional audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 in the case of a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage with respect to which any claim has been filed during a plan year1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 as applicable1 may audit the books and records of such plan or issuer to determine compliance with this section4 7iii7 ,denial rates ,the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,labor and the ,treasury1 shall collect information on the rates of and reasons for denial by group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage of claims for outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to the rates of and reasons for denial of claims for medical and surgical benefits4 ,for the first plan year that begins on or after the date that is #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 and each subsequent plan year1 the ,secretary1 in such cooperation1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate the information collected under the previous sentence with respect to the previous plan year4 7,c7 ,effective date ,any requirements of group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage that are included in the regulations issued under subparagraph 7,a77i71 including the requirement described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 to disclose documents1 shall have an effective date of #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph4 4 7b7 ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd ,section #gab7;a7 of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #aahe;a7a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 ,disclosure and enforcement requirements 7,a7 ,disclosure requirements 7i7 ,regulations ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 shall issue regulations for carrying out this section1 including an explanation of documents that a group health plan 7or health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with such a plan7 shall disclose in accordance with clause 7ii71 the process governing the disclosure of such documents1 and analyses that such plans and issuers shall conduct in order to demonstrate compliance with this section4 7ii7 ,disclosure requirements ,the documents required to be disclosed by a group health plan 7or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with such a plan7 under clause 7i7 shall include an annual report that details the specific analyses performed to ensure compliance of such plan or issuer with this section1 including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this section4 ,at a minimum1 with respect to the application of nonquantitative treatment limitations 7in this paragraph referred to as ,n,q,t,ls7 to benefits under the plan or coverage1 such report shall-- 7,i7 identify the specific factors the plan or issuer used in performing its ,n,q,t,ls analysis2 7,,ii7 identify and define the specific evidentiary standards relied on to evaluate such factors2 7,,iii7 describe how the evidentiary standards are applied to each service category for mental health benefits1 substance use disorder benefits1 medical benefits1 and surgical benefits2 7,,iv7 disclose the results of the analyses of the specific evidentiary standards in each service category2 and 7,v7 disclose the specific findings of the plan or issuer in each service category and the conclusions reached with respect to whether the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iii7 ,guidance ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 shall issue guidance to group health plans 7and health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in connection with such plans7 on how to satisfy the requirements of this section1 with respect to making information available to current and potential participants and beneficiaries4 ,such information shall include-- 7,i7 certificate of coverage documents and instruments under which the plan or coverage involved is administered and operated that specify1 include1 or refer to procedures1 formulas1 and methodologies applied to determine a participant's or beneficiary's benefit under the plan or coverage1 regardless of whether such information is contained in a document designated as the plan document2 and 7,,ii7 a disclosure of how the plan or issuer involved has provided that processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 and other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iv7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph1 the terms nonquantitative treatment limitations1 comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than have the meanings given such terms in sections #adf4acf and #adg4afj of title #de1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation74 7,b7 ,enforcement 7i7 ,process for complaints ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 shall1 with respect to group health plans 7and health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in connection with such plans71 issue guidance to clarify the process and timeline for current and potential participants and beneficiaries 7and authorized representatives and health care providers of such participants and beneficiaries7 with respect to such plans and coverage to file formal complaints of such plans or issuers being in violation of this section1 including guidance1 by plan type1 on the relevant ,state1 regional1 and national offices with which such complaints should be filed4 7ii7 ,audits 7,i7 ,randomized audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 as applicable1 shall conduct randomized audits of group health plans 7and health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in connection with such plans7 to determine compliance with this section4 ,such audits shall be conducted on no fewer than #ab plans or coverages per plan year4 7,,ii7 ,additional audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 in the case of a group health plan 7or health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with such a plan7 with respect to which any claim has been filed during a plan year1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 as applicable1 may audit the books and records of such plan or issuer to determine compliance with this section4 7iii7 ,denial rates ,the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,treasury1 shall collect information on the rates of and reasons for denial by group health plans 7and health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in connection with such plans7 of claims for outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to the rates of and reasons for denial of claims for medical and surgical benefits4 ,for the first plan year that begins on or after the date that is #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 and each subsequent plan year1 the ,secretary1 in such cooperation1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate the information collected under the previous sentence with respect to the previous plan year4 7,c7 ,effective date ,any requirements of group health plans 7or health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in connection with such plans7 that are included in the regulations issued under subparagraph 7,a77i71 including the requirement described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 to disclose documents1 shall have an effective date of #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph4 4 7c7 ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf ,section #ihab7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 ,disclosure and enforcement requirements 7,a7 ,disclosure requirements 7i7 ,regulations ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 shall issue regulations for carrying out this section1 including an explanation of documents that group health plans shall disclose in accordance with clause 7ii71 the process governing the disclosure of such documents1 and analyses that such plans shall conduct in order to demonstrate compliance with this section4 7ii7 ,disclosure requirements ,the documents required to be disclosed by a group health plan under clause 7i7 shall include an annual report that details the specific analyses performed to ensure compliance of such plan with this section1 including any regulation promulgated pursuant to such section4 ,at a minimum1 with respect to the application of nonquantitative treatment limitations 7in this paragraph referred to as ,n,q,t,ls7 to benefits under the plan1 such report shall-- 7,i7 identify the specific factors the plan used in performing its ,n,q,t,ls analysis2 7,,ii7 identify and define the specific evidentiary standards relied on to evaluate such factors2 7,,iii7 describe how the evidentiary standards are applied to each service category for mental health benefits1 substance use disorder benefits1 medical benefits1 and surgical benefits2 7,,iv7 disclose the results of the analyses of the specific evidentiary standards in each service category2 and 7,v7 disclose the specific findings of the plan in each service category and the conclusions reached with respect to whether the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iii7 ,guidance ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 shall issue guidance to group health plans on how to satisfy the requirements of this section1 with respect to making information available to current and potential participants and beneficiaries4 ,such information shall include-- 7,i7 certificate of coverage documents and instruments under which the plan involved is administered and operated that specify1 include1 or refer to procedures1 formulas1 and methodologies applied to determine a participant's or beneficiary's benefit under the plan1 regardless of whether such information is contained in a document designated as the plan document2 and 7,,ii7 a disclosure of how the plan involved has provided that processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 and other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than1 the processes1 strategies1 evidentiary standards1 or other factors used in applying the ,n,q,t,ls to medical and surgical benefits in the same classification4 7iv7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph1 the terms nonquantitative treatment limitations1 comparable to1 and applied no more stringently than have the meanings given such terms in sections #adf4acf and #adg4afj of title #de1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation74 7,b7 ,enforcement 7i7 ,process for complaints ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 shall1 with respect to group health plans1 issue guidance to clarify the process and timeline for current and potential participants and beneficiaries 7and authorized representatives and health care providers of such participants and beneficiaries7 with respect to such plans to file formal complaints of such plans being in violation of this section1 including guidance1 by plan type1 on the relevant ,state1 regional1 and national offices with which such complaints should be filed4 7ii7 ,audits 7,i7 ,randomized audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 as applicable1 shall conduct randomized audits of group health plans to determine compliance with this section4 ,such audits shall be conducted on no fewer than #ab plans per plan year4 7,,ii7 ,additional audits ,beginning #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 in the case of a group health plan with respect to which any claim has been filed during a plan year1 the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 as applicable1 may audit the books and records of such plan to determine compliance with this section4 7iii7 ,denial rates ,the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,secretaries of ,health and ,human ,services and ,labor1 shall collect information on the rates of and reasons for denial by group health plans of claims for outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to the rates of and reasons for denial of claims for medical and surgical benefits4 ,for the first plan year that begins on or after the date that is #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 and each subsequent plan year1 the ,secretary1 in such cooperation1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate the information collected under the previous sentence with respect to the previous plan year4 7,c7 ,effective date ,any requirements of group health plans that are included in the regulations issued under subparagraph 7,a77i71 including the requirement described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 to disclose documents1 shall have an effective date of #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph4 4 #c4 ,consumer parity unit for mental health and substance use disorder parity violations 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,applicable ,state authority ,the term applicable ,state authority has the meaning given the term in section #bgia of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;gg-#ia74 7#b7 ,covered plan ,the term covered plan means any creditable coverage that is subject to any of the mental health parity laws4 7#c7 ,creditable coverage ,the term creditable coverage has the meaning given the term in section #bgjd7;c7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;gg-#c7;c774 7#d7 ,mental health parity laws ,the term mental health parity laws means-- 7,a7 section #bgbf of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;gg-#bf72 7,b7 section #gab of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #aahe;a72 7,c7 section #ihab of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 or 7,d7 any other law that applies the requirements under any of the sections described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,c71 or requirements that are substantially similar to those provided under any such section1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to creditable coverage4 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall establish a consumer parity unit with functions that include-- 7#a7 facilitating the centralized collection of1 monitoring of1 and response to consumer complaints regarding violations of mental health parity laws through developing and administering1 in accordance with subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 a single1 toll-free telephone number2 and 7,b7 a public website portal1 which may include enhancing a website portal in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 providing information to health care consumers regarding the disclosure requirements and enforcement under section #bgbf7;a77#h7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act1 section #gab7;a77#f7 of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd1 and section #ihab7;a77#f7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 as added by section #b4 7c7 ,website portal ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall make available on the website portal established under subsection 7b77#a77;,b7-- 7#a7 any guidance and any reports issued by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 or the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 under section #bgbf of the ,public ,health ,service ,act1 section #gab of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd1 or section #ihab of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 respectively1 including the amendments to such sections made by section #b2 7#b7 de-identified information on the results of1 or progress on1 any concluded or ongoing audits or investigations of the ,secretary1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 or the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 as applicable1 under such section #bgbf1 #gab1 or #ihab1 respectively2 and 7#c7 any information on rates of or reasons for denial collected by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 or the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 pursuant to subsection 7a77#h77;,b77iii7 of such section #bgbf1 subsection 7a77#f77;,b77iii7 of such section #gab1 or subsection 7a77#f77;,b77iii7 of such section #ihab1 respectively4 7d7 ,response to consumer complaints and inquiries 7#a7 ,timely response to consumers ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall establish reasonable procedures for the consumer parity unit established under this section to provide a timely response 7in writing if appropriate7 to consumers regarding complaints received by the unit against1 or inquiries concerning1 a covered plan1 including-- 7,a7 steps that have been taken by the appropriate ,state or ,federal enforcement agency in response to the complaint or inquiry of the consumer2 7,b7 any responses received by the appropriate ,state or ,federal enforcement agency from the covered plan2 7,c7 any follow-up actions or planned follow-up actions by the appropriate ,state or ,federal enforcement agency in response to the complaint or inquiry of the consumer2 and 7,d7 contact information of the appropriate enforcement agency for the consumer to follow up on the complaint or inquiry4 7#b7 ,timely response to regulators ,a covered plan shall provide a timely response 7in writing if appropriate7 to the appropriate ,state or ,federal enforcement agency having jurisdiction over such plan concerning a consumer complaint or inquiry submitted to the consumer parity unit established under this section including-- 7,a7 steps that have been taken by the plan to respond to the complaint or inquiry of the consumer2 7,b7 any responses received by the plan from the consumer2 and 7,c7 follow-up actions or planned follow-up actions by the plan in response to the complaint or inquiry of the consumer4 7#c7 ,provision of information to consumers 7,a7 ,in general ,a covered plan shall1 in a timely manner1 comply with a consumer request for information in the control or possession of such covered plan concerning the coverage the consumer obtained from such covered plan4 7,b7 ,exceptions ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 a covered plan1 and any agency or entity having jurisdiction over a covered plan1 may not be required by this paragraph to make available to the consumer any information required to be kept confidential by any other provision of law4 7e7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,march #ca of each year1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall submit a report to ,congress on the complaints received by the consumer parity unit established under this section in the prior year regarding covered plans4 7#b7 ,contents ,each such report shall include information and analysis about complaint numbers1 complaint types1 and1 where applicable1 information about the resolution of complaints4 7#c7 ,consumer parity unit posting ,the ,secretary shall submit such reports to the consumer parity unit established under this section1 and such unit shall post the reports on the website portal established under subsection 7b77#a77;,b74 7f7 ,data sharing ,subject to any applicable standards for ,federal or ,state agencies with respect to protecting personally identifiable information and data security and integrity-- 7#a7 the consumer parity unit established under this section shall share consumer complaint information with the ,secretary1 and the head of any other applicable ,federal or ,state agency2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary1 and the head of any other applicable ,federal or ,state agency1 shall share data relating to consumer complaints regarding covered plans with such unit4 7g7 ,privacy considerations 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out this section1 the consumer parity unit established under this section and the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall take measures to ensure that proprietary1 personal1 or confidential consumer information that is protected from public disclosure under section #eeb7;b7 or #eeb;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any other provision of law1 is not made public under this section4 7#b7 ,exceptions ,the consumer parity unit established under this section may not obtain from a covered plan any personally identifiable information about a consumer from the records of the covered plan1 except-- 7,a7 if the records are reasonably described in a request by the consumer parity unit established under this section1 and the consumer provides appropriate permission for the disclosure of such information by the covered plan to such unit2 or 7,b7 as may be specifically permitted or required under other applicable provisions of law1 including ,,hipaa privacy and security law as defined in section #cjji7;a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;jj-#ai7;a774 7h7 ,collaboration 7#a7 ,agreements with other agencies ,the ,secretary1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the head of any other applicable agency1 shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with any affected ,federal regulatory agency regarding procedures by which any covered plan1 and any other agency having jurisdiction over a covered plan1 shall comply with this section4 7#b7 ,agreements with ,states ,to the extent practicable1 an applicable ,state authority may receive appropriate complaints from the consumer parity unit established under this section1 if-- 7,a7 the applicable ,state authority has the functional capacity to receive calls or electronic reports routed by the unit2 7,b7 the applicable ,state authority has satisfied any conditions of participation that the unit may establish1 including treatment of personally identifiable information and sharing of information on complaint resolution or related compliance procedures and resources2 and 7,c7 participation by the applicable ,state authority includes measures necessary to protect personally identifiable information in accordance with standards that apply to ,federal agencies with respect to protecting personally identifiable information and data security and integrity4