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

The primary role of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is to administer the nation’s major healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. CMS plays a pivotal role in managing these programs by overseeing their implementation and ensuring that they operate effectively. This includes establishing guidelines and standards for healthcare services covered under these programs, monitoring compliance and performance of providers, and managing the funding and resources to ensure that beneficiaries receive necessary medical services.

Medicare, primarily serving those aged 65 and older or individuals with certain disabilities, and Medicaid, providing coverage for low-income individuals and families, are essential components of the U.S. healthcare safety net. CMS's actions directly affect millions of Americans by determining eligibility criteria, set reimbursement rates for services, and ensuring that quality care is delivered through these federally funded programs.

In contrast, the other options describe roles or responsibilities that are not the primary focus of CMS. Regulating drug testing for healthcare workers, providing grants for healthcare improvement, and overseeing emergency responses are outside the direct scope of CMS’s main functions, which center around the financial and administrative management of Medicare and Medicaid.