Who manages the Medicare program?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the agency responsible for managing the Medicare program. CMS oversees the administration of Medicare, which includes setting policies, determining the benefits, and ensuring that the program runs effectively. It plays a crucial role in establishing guidelines for eligibility, coverage, and the payment process for services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries. This agency is essential for maintaining the quality and efficiency of Medicare, ensuring that it meets the health care needs of millions of older Americans and individuals with disabilities.

The other options, while involved in public health and related programs, do not have the specific responsibility of managing Medicare. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on biomedical research, whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is primarily concerned with public health and disease control. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees various health and welfare programs, including those of CMS, but it is CMS that directly manages Medicare.