Medicare
From Healthcarepedia
Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain people under 65 with disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Medicare is designed and administered by the U.S. Federal government. The program is funded by a payroll tax, premiums and surtaxes from beneficiaries, and general revenue.
The Medicare Program consists of four different parts:
- Part A – Hospital insurance which includes inpatient hospital care, inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health services.
- Part B – Medical insurance which includes physician services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, home health services, and many preventive services)
- Part C – Medicare Advantage (MA) - Medicare-approved private insurance companies provide all Part A and Part B services and may provide prescription drug coverage and other supplemental benefits.
- Part D – The Prescription Drug Benefit - Medicare-approved private companies provide outpatient prescription drug coverage.