Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) representatives, who recently acquired security clearances, are now embedded at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this week. They have gained access to critical payment and contracting systems, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the situation.
The DOGE representatives are on-site at the agency’s offices, examining the technology and spending within the systems to identify potential fraud or waste. They are also assessing the agency’s organizational structure and staffing. Musk confirmed his interest in CMS oversight in a social media post, stating that “this is where the big money fraud is happening.”
The White House and DOGE officials have chosen not to comment on the matter. Over the past week, Musk’s DOGE team has been actively seeking access to various federal agencies, including the Treasury Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to uncover fraud, abuse, and excessive spending.
CMS, with a budget of around $1.5 trillion in fiscal 2024, plays a crucial role in the nation’s healthcare economy, administering programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The DOGE representatives have accessed systems like CALM, the CMS Acquisition Lifecycle Management system, but have not yet accessed databases containing sensitive health information or HIGLAS, the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System.
It is important to note that the current access level for DOGE representatives is “read-only,” meaning they cannot make changes to the systems. This intervention has sparked concerns among CMS veterans and healthcare experts due to the complexity of the agency’s payment structures, involving multiple layers of contractors and insurers.
Overall, Musk’s DOGE team’s presence at CMS signifies a deeper dive into government spending and efficiency, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement and cost savings in line with the administration’s goals.