What is Medicare?
Those 65 and over, as well as some younger persons with impairments or end-stage renal illness, are covered by Medicare, a national health insurance programme in the United States. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are in charge of overseeing this government-funded project (CMS).
Medicare is divided into four parts:
- Part A: Hospital insurance, which covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
- Part B: Medical insurance, which covers outpatient care, preventive services, and some home health care.
- Part C: Medicare Advantage, which is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) that is offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional benefits and may have lower out-of-pocket costs.
- Part D: Prescription drug coverage, which helps cover the cost of prescription medications.
Medicare does not cover all medical expenses, and beneficiaries may be responsible for paying deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for certain services. Some beneficiaries choose to purchase additional coverage, such as a Medicare Supplement insurance plan, to help cover these costs.
Eligibility for Medicare is based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease. Most people who are 65 and over are eligible for Medicare, as are some younger people with certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Medicare is an insurance programme that primarily benefits everyone over the age of 65, regardless of income, as well as SSDI recipients and persons with specific conditions. Medicare is a federal programme that is offered nationwide.