What is the primary purpose of CMS in the U.S. healthcare system?

• A. To administer federal health programs (Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP) and oversee national health policy, program integrity, and payment systems.
• B. To regulate health professionals and enforce professional standards.
• C. To fund only private health insurance plans.
• D. To operate hospital accreditation programs.

Answer: (A)

The main point is that CMS is the federal engine for running the nation’s public health programs and paying for care. It administers Medicare for older and disabled people, Medicaid and CHIP for low‑income populations, and sets the rules for how these programs are funded and delivered across states. It also leads efforts to ensure program integrity—preventing fraud, waste, and abuse—and manages the payment systems that determine how providers get paid. This makes CMS about funding, policy direction, and payment stewardship for major national programs, rather than licensing health professionals, funding private insurance plans, or running hospital accreditation programs (which are handled by other bodies and processes).