What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people ages 65 and older; people younger than age 65 with certain disabilities; and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease or permanent kidney failure. If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) without paying a monthly premium based on your own, or spouse’s, employment. You’re eligible if you receive – or will be eligible to receive – Social Security benefits or railroad retirement benefits, or you or your spouse (living or deceased, including divorced spouses) worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid.