Section 421.126 - Termination of agreements(a)Termination by intermediary. An intermediary may terminate its agreement at any time by-(1) Giving written notice of its intention to CMS and to the providers it services at least 180 days before its intended termination date; and(2) Giving public notice of its intention by publishing a statement of the effective date of termination at least 60 days before that date. Publication must be in a newspaper of general circulation in each community served by the intermediary.(b)Termination by the Secretary, and right of appeal.(1) The Secretary may terminate an agreement if-(i) The intermediary fails to comply with the requirements of this subpart;(ii) The intermediary fails to meet the criteria or standards specified in §§ 421.120 and 421.122 ; or(iii) CMS has reassigned, under § 421.114 or § 421.116 , all of the providers assigned to the intermediary.(2) If the Secretary decides to terminate an agreement, he or she will offer the intermediary an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with § 421.128 .(3) If the intermediary does not request a hearing, or if the hearing decision affirms the Secretary's decision, the Secretary will provide reasonable notice of the effective date of termination to-(ii) The providers served by the intermediary; and(iii) The general public.(4) The providers served by the intermediary will be given the opportunity to nominate another intermediary, in accordance with § 421.104 .