CMS stands for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that monitors the administration of federal services, like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). It is important to know that CMS serves as oversight for these programs to ensure that the programs are being implemented and abided by all healthcare providers. Without an understanding of what CMS does and what programs or acts fall under its scope, practice standards could falter and decline as there is no governing body overseeing the fulfillment of said programs. Insurance companies would also not honor HIPAA or CLIA acts as well, that is why it is
