Medicare is a national health insurance program. To qualify for Medicare coverage, you must meet one of the three following criteria:

1. Be 65 years of age or older
2. Have permanent kidney failure
3. Certain younger, disabled people qualify.

The Medicare program is overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Social Security Administration works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare and by collecting Medicare premiums.

The Medicare program is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical office) coverage.

Part A covers:

Inpatient Hospital Care
Skilled Nursing Care
Home Health Care
Hospice Care

Part B covers:

Doctor's Services
Outpatient Services
Durable Medical Equipment
Home Health Care

Under certain conditions, Medicare will cover:

Eye glasses (only after cataract surgery)
Chiropractic services (only manipulation of spine)
Ambulance services (must be bed confined or an emergency)
Routine foot care (with certain medical conditions)
Services rendered outside the United States (with certain
exceptions)
Routine screenings (have various time limits)

To learn more about Medicare coverage, click here.

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