Medicare program; assignment and reassignment of home health agencies to designated regional intermediaries: Health Care Financing Administration. Proposed rule.

We are proposing to modify Medicare regulations to require that all freestanding home health agencies (HHAs) serviced by a nominated intermediary be serviced by a regional intermediary designated by HCFA. One intermediary would be designated to service freestanding HHA's in each state. These proposed regulations would implement Section 1816(e)(4) of the Social Security Act (as added by Section 930(o) of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980, Pub L. 96-499), which requires the secretary to designate regional agencies or organizations to perform intermediary functions for home health agencies. The publication of the regulations also complies with a court order. This proposal would improve the administration of the home health benefit under the Medicare program.