US · guidance
CMS Pub. 100-01, ch. 1, § 20
Administration of the Medicare Program - Introduction
The conduct of the program has been delegated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Congress has also provided substantial administrative roles for the States and for voluntary
insurance organizations in recognition of their experience in the health care and insurance fields.
The law does not permit the Federal Government to exercise supervision or control over the
practice of medicine, the manner in which medical services are provided, and the administration
or operation of medical facilities. The patient is free to choose any qualified institution, agency,
or person offering him/her services. The responsibility for treatment and the control of care
remains with the individual's physician and the hospital or other facility or agency furnishing
services. The individual may keep or obtain any other health insurance he/she desires including
the choice to enroll in a Medicare+Choice plan. More information about Medicare+Choice plans
is in the Medicare Managed Care Manual.
History
(Rev. 1, 09-11-02)
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-25
- Edition
- iom-2026-08-25
- Content hash
890f7f8991033af1746b26d36d1e393a72eb933b251ff4d31ca61965a787d886
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