Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States for people age 65 or older, as well as younger people with certain disabilities, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare is divided into four parts—A, B, C (Medicare Advantage), and D (drug coverage)—to provide coverage for hospital care, medical services, and prescription drugs. While it is a national program, some of its costs are shared by beneficiaries through monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Who is Medicare for?

• Age 65 or Older: The primary group covered by Medicare.

• Younger People with Disabilities: Individuals with certain disabilities that meet federal criteria.

• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): People with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant.

• ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease): People diagnosed with this specific neurological disease.

Medicare is funded by a combination of sources, including payroll taxes from workers and employers, government appropriations, and payments from beneficiaries through monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.