Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Team Gains Access to Medicare and Medicaid Systems
CMS Confirms DOGE’s Presence at Federal Healthcare Agency
Representatives of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been working inside the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where they have been granted access to key systems and technology, the agency confirmed on Wednesday.
CMS oversees Medicare, the health insurance program for seniors and disabled Americans, and Medicaid, which provides coverage for low-income individuals. Combined, these programs serve more than 140 million people across the U.S.
In a statement, CMS clarified that it has two senior agency veterans—one focusing on policy and the other on operations—who are overseeing the collaboration with DOGE. The agency emphasized that access to CMS systems and technology is being monitored to ensure compliance with federal protocols.
Musk Tasked With Identifying Fraud and Waste
Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, has been tapped by President Donald Trump to root out fraud and inefficiencies across the federal government. The effort has already led to DOGE’s rapid influence over the nation’s 2.2-million-member federal workforce, with Musk’s allies quickly positioning themselves within key agencies.
“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,” CMS stated.
CMS regularly deals with improper payments that may stem from fraud, administrative errors, or compliance issuesat the state, contractor, or provider level.
DOGE Accesses CMS Payment and Contracting Systems
According to The Wall Street Journal, DOGE representatives have gained access to key payment and contracting systems, where they are evaluating technology infrastructure and federal spending. Their focus is reportedly on pinpointing what they consider to be fraud or waste.
The team is also reviewing the agency’s organizational structure and staffing efficiency. One of the systems accessed by DOGE is the CMS Acquisition Lifecycle Management (CALM) system, which contains detailed information about government contracts.
White House Defends Musk’s Actions
When questioned about DOGE’s involvement, White House officials did not address specifics but defended Musk’s initiative as part of Trump’s commitment to increasing government accountability.
Musk himself weighed in on the situation via his X platform, writing, “This is where the big money fraud is happening,” in response to the WSJ report.
Read-Only Access and Privacy Concerns
Despite concerns over sensitive information, sources told the WSJ that DOGE representatives do not have access to databases containing personally identifiable health information for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees.
Additionally, DOGE’s access to CMS systems is reportedly “read-only,” meaning they cannot make direct changesto federal databases or financial systems. The team has also not yet accessed HIGLAS, the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System, which is a highly sensitive accounting database.
CMS: A $1.5 Trillion Operation Under Scrutiny
CMS is a politically and economically significant agency, overseeing $1.5 trillion in federal spending for fiscal year 2024—roughly 22% of the total U.S. budget. The agency employs 6,710 staff and manages a complex network of state partnerships, private insurers, and government contractors.
Dr. Mehmet Oz Nominated to Lead CMS
Meanwhile, Dr. Mehmet Oz, a high-profile physician and former television host, has been nominated to lead CMSbut awaits Senate confirmation. Several CMS officials expected to work under Oz have already assumed roles within the agency.
As DOGE’s presence at CMS continues, federal oversight agencies—including the Justice Department, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and CMS’s own enforcement units—remain engaged in ongoing efforts to combat healthcare fraud.
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