Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

http://www.cms.gov

877-267-2323

Individuals in the U.S. seeking medical coverage, health professionals

CMS is the federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program; is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• Medicare provides health coverage to people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
• Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines, but they vary from state to state.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or subsidized health coverage for eligible children. CHIP is part of Medicaid in many states.