Which term is sometimes abbreviated CMS and refers to the federal agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid programs?

• A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• B. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• C. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• D. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Answer: (C)

CMS stands for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare and Medicaid programs. It handles enrollment, eligibility, and payment policies for healthcare providers under these programs. The other agencies have different roles: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on public health and disease control; the National Institutes of Health conducts biomedical research; and the Food and Drug Administration regulates foods, drugs, and medical devices. So the term commonly abbreviated CMS refers to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.