Medicare is a government health insurance program for people 65 and over, some people under the age of 65 with disabilities, and people of any age living with permanent kidney failure. It pays for many health care expenses but does not cover them all.
Medicare has limits on the type of care it will pay for and for how long. For example, Medicare covers only medically "reasonable and necessary" care and does not cover personal care that helps you with things like bathing, dressing, etc.
Learn more about what Medicare is and covers from the official government handbook Medicare and You and Medicare Basics: A Guide for Families and Friends of People with Medicare.
Contact a Social Security Administration office for a Medicare application and more information about the program.
Take advantage of the Medicare Eligibility Tool for additional information about your Medicare eligibility and enrollment.
The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors - SHIBA HelpLine provides free help to people of all ages with questions about health insurance, health care access, and prescription access. Contact the SHIBA HelpLine.
Medicare Savings Programs
There are Medicare Savings Programs that help people receiving Medicare pay for all or part of their Medicare premiums. Learn more.