What does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services do?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a subdivision of the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for administering the nation’s major healthcare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The agency ensures that beneficiaries have access to high-quality healthcare services while also working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. It was established in 1965.
$1.52T
88.6%
How much does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spend?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ranked first among Department of Health and Human Services divisions in net spending in 2024.
HHS net spending by division, FY 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.
Yearly federal net spending by CMS, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.
Net spending by CMS as a share of federal spending, FYs 1980–2024
How did the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spend its budget in 2024?
Federal government net spending isolated to CMS, FY 2024
How many people work for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services?
The number of federal employees working for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has increased 34.2% since 2010.
Number of federal employees working for CMS, September 2010–2024
Who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services?
The CMS is led by an administrator. This individual is nominated by the President of the United States and requires confirmation by the Senate. The CMS administrator reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. There is no fixed term for this position.
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.