Medicare program; assignment and reassignment of home health agencies to designated regional intermediaries--HCFA. Final rule.

We are modifying Medicare regulations to require that all freestanding home health agencies serviced by a nominated intermediary be serviced by a regional intermediary designated by HCFA. These regulations 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.