Centers for medicare and medicaid services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), pronounced as /ˈsɛntərz fɔːr ˈmɛdɪkeɪr ænd ˈmɛdɪkeɪd ˈsɜːrvɪsɪz/, is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that administers the nation's major healthcare programs.
Etymology
The term "Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services" is derived from the agency's role in administering the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The agency was previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) until it was renamed in 2001.
Function
CMS oversees the administration of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It also manages health insurance portability standards and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Related Terms
- Medicare: A federal program that provides health coverage for people aged 65 or older or with certain disabilities.
- Medicaid: A state and federal program that provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): A program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
- Health Insurance Marketplace: A service available in every state that helps individuals, families, and small businesses shop for and enroll in affordable medical insurance.
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