Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Practice Test

Which organization operates the Medicare and Medicaid programs?

1. FDA

2. CDC

3. CMS

4. HHS

The correct answer is: CMS

The organization that operates the Medicare and Medicaid programs is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, commonly referred to as CMS. This agency is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is responsible for administering these two vital healthcare programs. Medicare provides health coverage primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities. Medicaid, on the other hand, offers assistance to low-income individuals and families, covering a broad range of health services. The CMS plays a critical role in the implementation of healthcare policies related to these programs, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and overseeing quality standards. While the other organizations mentioned have important roles in public health and healthcare regulation—the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focuses on the safety of food and drugs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deals with public health and disease prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encompasses a broader range of health-related policies and programs—none are directly responsible for the administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs like CMS is. This distinction reinforces why CMS is the correct answer to the question regarding the operation of Medicare and Medicaid.