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

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses significantly on the safety and quality of care provided in healthcare settings, particularly institutions like hospitals. One of its key roles is to establish regulations and standards that ensure patient safety, quality of services, and effective management in healthcare facilities. This falls under their obligation to improve healthcare quality, reduce costs, and ensure access to necessary services, particularly for vulnerable populations reliant on Medicare and Medicaid.

Managing reimbursement rates, overseeing quality management in non-profits, and regulating healthcare technology investments fall outside the primary mission of CMS. While the agency does have an influence on reimbursement practices through Medicare and Medicaid programs, its core purpose lies in safeguarding the standards of care provided to patients and facilitating compliance among healthcare providers to enhance patient outcomes. Thus, the focus on creating rules of safety for hospitals accurately represents the central intent and responsibilities of CMS in the healthcare landscape.