What is the role of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)?

• A. To oversee the Medicare program and ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
• B. To manage private employer health plans
• C. To license pharmaceutical companies
• D. To regulate medical devices

Answer: (A)

The main role being tested is understanding that CMS is the federal agency responsible for administering government health programs and ensuring they operate under federal rules. CMS oversees the Medicare program, and it also administers Medicaid and CHIP, setting payment policies, determining covered services, and ensuring program integrity and quality within those programs. It does not manage private employer health plans, which are handled by employers in conjunction with state insurance regulators and, for ERISA plans, the Department of Labor. Licensing pharmaceutical companies and regulating medical devices are duties of the FDA. So, the option describing CMS as overseeing the Medicare program and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines is the best fit.