1. The Office for Consumer Health Assistance is hereby established in the Department of Health and Human Services. The Director shall appoint the Governor’s Consumer Health Advocate to head the Office. The Advocate must:

(a) Be selected on the basis of his or her training, experience, capacity and interest in health-related services.

(b) Be a graduate of an accredited college or university. The Director shall, to the extent practicable, give preference to a person who has a degree in the field of health, social science, public administration or business administration or a related field.

(c) Have not less than 3 years of experience in the administration of health care or insurance programs.

(d) Have expertise and experience in the field of advocacy.

2. The cost of carrying out the provisions of NRS 232.451 to 232.462, inclusive, must be paid as follows:

(a) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers and injured employees concerning workers’ compensation must be paid from the assessments levied pursuant to NRS 232.680.

(b) That portion of the cost related to the operation of the Bureau for Hospital Patients created pursuant to NRS 232.462 must be paid from the assessments levied pursuant to that section.

(c) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers in need of information or other facilitation regarding a prescription drug program may, to the extent money is available from this source, be paid from the proceeds of any gifts, grants or donations that are received by the Advocate for this purpose.

(d) That portion of the cost related to providing assistance to consumers in need of information concerning purchasing prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies may, to the extent money is available from this source, be paid from the proceeds of any gifts, grants or donations that are received by the Advocate for this purpose.

(e) The remaining cost must be provided by direct legislative appropriation from the State General Fund and be paid out on claims as other claims against the State are paid.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 1806; A 2001, 778, 2653; 2003, 1507; 2005, 22nd Special Session, 155; 2011, 972; 2013, 1613) — (Substituted in revision for NRS 223.550)