Which agency is recognized as the largest within the Department of Health and Human Services?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is recognized as the largest agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) due to its extensive programs and reach. CMS oversees vital healthcare programs, including Medicare, which provides health coverage for individuals aged 65 and older, and Medicaid, which assists low-income individuals and families. This agency plays a crucial role in administering these federal programs, impacting millions of Americans and significantly influencing the healthcare landscape in the United States.

Its size and significance come from not only the number of beneficiaries it serves but also the complexity and breadth of its regulations and policies, which affect state healthcare programs and the funding provided to them. Because CMS manages such a vast and critical portion of healthcare service delivery, it stands out as the largest within HHS compared to other agencies that have more specialized roles.