42 CFR 421.3 : Public Health (Part 1 To Parts 1009-1099) — (§ 414.1 To Parts 427-429) — Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department Of Health And Human Services (Continued) (§ 414.1 To Parts 427-429) — Medicare Program (Continued) (§ 414.1 To Parts 427-429) — Medicare Contracting (§ 421.1 To Subpart F) — Scope, Definitions, And General Provisions (§ 421.1 To § 421.5) — Definitions.

As used in this part -

Intermediary means an entity that has a contract with CMS (under statutory provisions in effect prior to October 1, 2005) to determine and make Medicare payments for Part A or Part B benefits payable on a cost basis (or under the prospective payment system for hospitals) and to perform other related functions. For purposes of applying the performance criteria in § 421.120 and the performance standards in § 421.122 and any adverse action resulting from that application, the term “intermediary” also means a Blue Cross plan that has entered into a subcontract approved by CMS with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to perform intermediary functions.