The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to ensure that patients have access to high quality health services at an affordable price. CMS achieves the above goal through the Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and Medicare. Due to the increased need to evaluate the effectiveness of its services, CMS uses a variety of interventions to audit all processes contained within the delivery of medical care. Accordingly, the essay discusses the planning program audit as one of the methodologies adopted by CMS to evaluate its services. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Plan program's audit approach is geared toward improving the delivery of health care services consistent with Medicaid goals. The plan audit methodology is composed of four phases, namely validation, universe engagement and submission, field work and reporting. The entire audit process takes approximately twenty-two to forty-eight weeks, with a significant portion of this time spent in the validation and closure phase (“program audits”). The fieldwork phase is the most important step in this methodology because it allows CMS to acquire first-hand data from the selected sample. The plan-program approach is relatively effective since, thanks to it, CMS designs and implements policies based on evidence. However, some sections of the tool need improvement. First, the audit intervention should consider increasing the time spent on field work (surveys) from the current seven weeks to at least ten works (“Program Audits”). This period will allow health professionals and all industry players to determine the factors that prevent CSM from achieving the set objectives and thus to inform themselves on the best course of action. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, the planning program audit intervention is one of the major interventions adopted by CMS to audit the quality of its services. The methodology is divided into four phases which require more than twenty-two weeks. The Plan program tool is relatively effective but can be improved by increasing the time spent on the field work phase..