California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What agency oversees Medicare and Medicaid programs in the U.S.?

1. CMS

2. JCAHO

3. OSHA

4. COLA

The correct answer is: CMS

The agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid programs in the U.S. is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS plays a critical role in administering these federal health care insurance programs, which support millions of Americans, particularly the elderly, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities. The agency establishes regulations for these programs, oversees their implementation, conducts audits, and ensures compliance with federal laws. Other organizations mentioned serve different functions; for instance, JCAHO, now known as The Joint Commission, is involved in accrediting healthcare organizations and programs for quality standards, while OSHA is focused on occupational health and safety regulations. COLA primarily deals with laboratory accreditation and does not oversee Medicare or Medicaid. Thus, CMS is correctly identified as the appropriate agency overseeing these significant health care programs.