Medicare program; criteria and standards for evaluating intermediary and carrier performance during fiscal year 1988--HCFA. General notice with comment period.

This notice describes the criteria and standards to be used for evaluating the performance of fiscal intermediaries and carriers in the administration of the Medicare program for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1987. The results of these evaluations are considered whenever we enter into, renew, or terminate an intermediary or carrier contract or take other contract actions; assign or reassign providers of services to an intermediary; or designate regional or national intermediaries. In addition, this notice describes the methodology used for identifying contractors for competitive replacement under section 2326 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984.