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Home > Glossary > Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

What is CMS?

What is Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is the federal agency that administers the nation’s Medicare Program. The agency, formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), also works with state governments to administer programs that include Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

In addition, CMS also develops new programs that resulted from passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The agency is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

2025 Medicare coverage costs at a glance

An overview of 2025 premiums and out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Medicare Part D.

A brief history of Medicare in America

How and why was Medicare launched? Credit goes to President Harry S Truman and his administration for making the idea of government-led health insurance a reality for older Americans.

2025 Medicare coverage costs at a glance

An overview of 2025 premiums and out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Medicare Part D.

A brief history of Medicare in America

How and why was Medicare launched? Credit goes to President Harry S Truman and his administration for making the idea of government-led health insurance a reality for older Americans.

See more articles

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

What is CMS?

What is Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?

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2025 Medicare coverage costs at a glance

A brief history of Medicare in America

2025 Medicare coverage costs at a glance

A brief history of Medicare in America