Medscape: From Johnson to Reagan: Experts Unpack the Rhetoric That Framed Medicare’s Birth
The creation of Medicare in 1965 was hailed as a watershed for the social safety net, offering millions of older Americans financial security and freedom from worry about their medical expenses. But ...
From Johnson to Reagan: Experts Unpack the Rhetoric That Framed Medicare’s Birth
Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older. You may be able to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
The Medicare.gov Web site also has a tool to help you determine if you are eligible for Medicare and when you can enroll. It is called the Medicare Eligibility Tool.
Medicare Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. A federal agency called the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services runs Medicare. Because it’s a federal program, Medicare has set standards for costs and coverage. This means a person’s Medicare coverage will be the same no matter what state they live in.
A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.
Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days at the address on file with Social Security. When you request your replacement card, be sure to check your mailing address that’s in your personal Social Security account and make any necessary updates.