What is one of the main responsibilities of the CMS regional office?

The main responsibility of the CMS regional office involves working on quality initiatives. These offices are integral in implementing and managing programs related to quality measures, which help improve healthcare services and patient outcomes. This includes collaborating with healthcare providers to enhance the quality of care through various initiatives, such as reporting standards, performance improvement programs, and overall evaluation of healthcare effectiveness.

While the other options describe important functions within the broader operation of CMS, they are not primarily associated with the regional offices. Conducting audits is typically a responsibility managed at a more centralized level or through specific audit organizations, rather than being a focus of regional offices. Setting eligibility criteria is generally established through national regulations and policies, with regional offices administering them rather than creating them. Processing Medicare claims is a function primarily handled by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) rather than by the regional offices themselves, which focus on oversight and support rather than direct claims processing.