Representative's of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where they were given access to agency data systems and technology, CMS said in a statement earlier this week.
DOGE has been given access to systems with the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as it looks for what it says is waste and fraud in government. The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Late last month, DOGE gained access to the U.S. Treasury's federal payment system, a system that disburses trillions of dollars each year for programs that include Social Security and Medicare. (Read our story about Musk's access to the U.S. Treasury).
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
To ease tension that could come with Musk's access to yet another government agency, two CMS agency veterans, one focused on policy and one focused on operations, are working alongside DOGE officials to ensure appropriate access to systems and technology, as well as spending that flows through them.
“We are taking a thoughtful approach to see where there may be opportunities for more effective and efficient use of resources in line with meeting the goals of President Trump,” the CMS statement said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, DOGE's access is "read-only," which means that DOGE affiliates cannot make changes to the systems. The WSJ also reported that no access has been given to databases that include identifiable personal health information of Medicare or Medicaid enrollees. That's good news to the millions currently enrolled in these programs.
DOGE officials are focusing on what they say consists of waste and fraud, while also examining departmental staffing at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicaid, which is funded jointly by states and the federal government, provides health insurance to millions of people, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities, per the HHS website. Medicaid spending is expected to increase by 3.9% in 2025. At the state level, spending is expected to rise 7%, according to KFF.
This past Wednesday, in a post on X, Musk wrote: "Yeah, this is where the big money fraud is happening," referring to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, while reposting another user who referenced the Journal's report.
When asked about DOGE accessing CMS payment and contracting systems, representatives for the White House did not address specifics, as stated in the WSJ report. Still, they defended Musk and DOGE's actions overall, saying they were fulfilling Trump's commitment to make the federal government more accountable. "The people won't be affected," Trump said.
Earlier Government Accountability Office report findings
This past April, in a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), concerns were raised about payment errors in Medicare and Medicaid. Known as "improper payments," these are payments that are either made in an incorrect amount or should not have been made at all.
The GAO estimated that the Department of Health and Human Services had a combined total of over $100 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2023, representing 43% of all improper payments across all federal agencies. At that time, the GAO stressed the need for the federal government to strengthen its efforts to prevent these improper payments, which could include billing errors, fraud and/or overpayments.
Related Content
-
The Most Popular Apps for Retirement Planning in 2025A J.D. Power survey ranks retirement planning apps based on customer service and satisfaction. Does your financial app make the cut?
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary FormsStandard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary Forms
Standard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams NowBeyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
-
Want To Retire at 55? See If You Can Answer These Five QuestionsWho said you can’t retire at 55? If you say yes to these questions, you may be on your way to an early retirement.
-
I'm 57 With $4.1 Million and Plan to Retire Abroad in a Few Years. Can I Stop Contributing to My 401(k)?We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on RetirementWhile some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
-
One Small Step for Your Money, One Giant Leap for RetirementSaving enough for retirement can sound as daunting as walking on the moon. But what would your future look like if you took one small step toward it this year?
-
This Is What You Really Need to Know About Medicare, From a Financial ExpertHealth care costs are a significant retirement expense, and Medicare offers essential but complex coverage that requires careful planning. Here's how to navigate Medicare's various parts, enrollment periods and income-based costs.
-
The 'Me-First' Rule of Retirement SpendingFollow the 'Me-First" rule and you won't have to worry about running out of money when the stock market goes south.
