General principle. The amount paid by an HMO or CMP for physicians' services and other Part B supplier services furnished under arrangements is an allowable cost to the extent it is reasonable. Costs are considered reasonable if they—

(a) Do not exceed those that a prudent and cost-conscious buyer would incur to purchase those services; and

(b) Are comparable to costs incurred for similar services furnished by similar physicians or other suppliers in the same or a similar geographic area.

[50 FR 1346, Jan. 10, 1985, as amended at 58 FR 38082, July 15, 1993; 60 FR 34887, July 5, 1995; 60 FR 45372, Aug. 31, 1995]