S. 3473 — MAP for Care Act

This section establishes the Medicare Advance Directive Certification Program under a new section 1849 of the Social Security Act, to be implemented not later than five years after enactment. The voluntary program encourages eligible Medicare beneficiaries (i.e., individuals entitled to Part A benefits or enrolled in Part B) to adopt and maintain certified advance directives—electronically stored, state-recognized instructions (e.g., living wills or durable powers of attorney for health care) offered by entities accredited by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary must accredit qualifying advance directive vendors (directly or via contract), notify eligible beneficiaries of the program annually during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, ensure HIPAA-compliant privacy and security with access limited to participants, authorized representatives, and providers, provide links to state-specific statutory and alternative advance directive forms on the CMS website, and incorporate best practices for technology, interoperability, education, and communication without preempting state law. (Thus, the program facilitates secure registration, access, modification, and termination of directives to guide care for incapacitated beneficiaries.)