Health and Human Services Department

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) replaced the former Health Care Financing Administration in 2001. It was created to oversee the Medicare Program and the federal portion of the Medicaid Program. Medicare provides HEALTH INSURANCE for U.S. citizens age 65 or older, for younger people receiving SOCIAL SECURITY benefits, and for persons needing dialysis or kidney transplants. Medicaid covers health care expenses for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children), as well as for low-income pregnant women and other individuals whose medical bills qualify them as medically needy. Through these programs, the HCFA serves 68 million older, disabled, and poor U.S. citizens. In addition, a quality assurance program administered by the CMS develops health and safety standards for providers of health care services authorized by Medicare and Medicaid legislation.