Stephanie Carlton

Stephanie Carlton is an American healthcare policy advisor and government official serving as the Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She previously served as the agency's Chief of Staff and has held advisory roles in the United States Senate, worked as a healthcare consultant at McKinsey & Company, and practiced as a registered nurse. Carlton has worked in healthcare policy across government and the private sector. Prior to joining CMS in 2025, she was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where she advised healthcare organizations on health system reform and regulatory policy. Earlier in her career, she served on the Republican staff of the United States Senate Committee on Finance and advised Senators John Cornyn, Tom Coburn, and Jim Inhofe on healthcare policy.

Early life and education Carlton earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cedarville University in 2002 before completing a fellowship in labor and delivery nursing at Georgetown University Hospital. She later received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. Before entering healthcare policy, Carlton worked as a registered nurse specializing in labor and delivery. Her clinical experience later informed her work in healthcare policy and administration.

Early career Carlton began her congressional career as a legislative correspondent for Senator Jim Inhofe before serving as a professional staff member for the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. She later joined the office of Senator Tom Coburn, where she worked on health policy before becoming a legislative assistant to Senator John Cornyn. In 2011, Carlton joined the Republican staff of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, where she advised Ranking Member Orrin Hatch on Medicare and Medicaid policy. During her tenure, she participated in legislative work related to implementation of the Affordable Care Act and other federal healthcare policy initiatives.

McKinsey & Company Carlton joined McKinsey & Company in 2013 as an expert focused on healthcare policy and strategy. She was promoted to expert associate partner in 2016 and became a partner in 2020. During her tenure, she advised healthcare providers, payers, and public-sector organizations on health system reform, value-based care, Medicare, Medicaid, and regulatory policy. She also led McKinsey's Center for U.S. Health System Reform. While at McKinsey, Carlton co-authored articles and analyses on healthcare delivery, payment reform, and accountability models. Her work focused on policy changes affecting healthcare providers and public insurance programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services In January 2025, Carlton joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as Chief of Staff and Deputy Administrator. She subsequently served as Acting Administrator before returning to her role as Deputy Administrator following the confirmation of Administrator Mehmet Oz. As Deputy Administrator, Carlton has overseen agency initiatives related to technology modernization, artificial intelligence, program integrity, and healthcare affordability. She has described the agency's priorities as improving operational efficiency, strengthening fraud prevention, expanding the use of digital tools, and increasing access to healthcare data for patients and providers. In 2025, Carlton discussed CMS's plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to improve interoperability and make patient health information more accessible across healthcare systems. She stated that the agency viewed technology as a tool to support clinical decision-making and administrative efficiency rather than replace healthcare professionals. During the 2026 American Hospital Association Annual Membership Meeting, Carlton and CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of Medicare Chris Klomp discussed agency priorities, including healthcare affordability, prior authorization reform, prescription drug pricing, rural healthcare, and the use of technology within federal health programs.

Public policy positions Carlton has spoken publicly on healthcare policy, including the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare administration, Medicare and Medicaid policy, healthcare affordability, and value-based care. Speaking at industry conferences and public forums, she has emphasized modernization of CMS information systems, improved interoperability, and reducing administrative burden through technology. In 2025, Carlton co-authored an opinion article with CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz in The Washington Post addressing federal policy concerning healthcare and transgender youth. She also co-authored a related opinion article published by Fox News.

Public engagements Carlton has participated in conferences and policy discussions on healthcare administration, Medicare, and innovation in healthcare delivery. In 2026, she spoke at events hosted by the American Hospital Association and the Bipartisan Policy Center, where she discussed CMS strategic priorities, including artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, affordability, and healthcare innovation.