[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR421.103]

[Page 817]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 421--INTERMEDIARIES AND CARRIERS--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart B--Intermediaries
 
Sec. 421.103  Options available to providers and CMS.

    (a) Except for hospices (which are covered under Sec. 421.117), a 
provider may elect to receive payment for covered services furnished to 
Medicare beneficiaries--
    (1) Directly from CMS (subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of 
this section); or
    (2) Through an intermediary, when both CMS and the intermediary 
consent.
    (b) Whenever CMS determines it appropriate, it may contract with any 
organization (including an intermediary with which CMS has previously 
entered into an agreement under Sec. 421.105 and Sec. 421.110 or 
designated as a regional or alternative regional intermediary under 
Sec. 421.117) for the purposes of making payments to any provider that 
does not elect to receive payment from an intermediary.

[49 FR 3659, Jan. 30, 1984; 49 FR 9174, Mar. 12, 1984]