Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

What CMS manages

• The federal Medicare program and rules for Medicare health and drug plans.
• Federal Medicaid and CHIP policy, oversight, and partnerships with state and territory agencies.
• The Health Insurance Marketplace and HealthCare.gov.
• Standards and oversight involving participating health plans, providers, facilities, and certain health care transactions.

What CMS does not usually handle directly

• Social Security processes most applications for Medicare Part A and Part B.
• State or territory Medicaid agencies receive applications and make individual Medicaid eligibility decisions.
• Medicare Advantage and Part D companies handle plan-specific enrollment, formularies, networks, claims, and member services under Medicare rules.
• CMS is not a substitute for a doctor, insurance plan, state benefits office, or personalized legal advice.

Official public service websites

• Medicare.gov — Medicare coverage, plans, costs, and enrollment information
• Medicaid.gov — federal Medicaid and CHIP information
• HealthCare.gov — Health Insurance Marketplace
• CMS.gov — agency policy, provider, plan, data, and program resources

Finding the correct office

People with Medicare should normally begin at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. People applying for Medicaid or CHIP should use the official state or territory agency. Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment often begins with the Social Security Administration.

Official sources

• CMS — About Us
• CMS press kit — agency responsibilities
• CMS contact directory

Related resources

• Sign up for Medicare
• Join a Medicare drug plan
• Apply for Medicaid
• Renew Medicaid or CHIP coverage
• Social Security Administration