(U.S.) Medicare

"Surgery Encyclopedia: Medicare

Definition :
Medicare is a national health insurance program created and administered by the federal government in the United States to address the medical needs of older American citizens. Medicare is available to U.S. citizens 65 years of age and older and some people with disabilities under age 65.

Description :
Medicare is the largest health insurance program in the United States. The program was created as part of the Social Security Act Amendment in 1965 and was put into effect in 1966. At the end of 1966, Medicare served approximately 3.9 million individuals. As of 2003, it serves about 41 million people. There are 5.6 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in managed care programs.
In 1973, the Medicare program was expanded to include people who have permanent kidney failure and need dialysis or transplants and people under the age of 65 who have specific types of disabilities.

Medicare was originally administered by the Social Security Administration,

• but in 1977, the program was transferred to the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the DHHS, is the administrative agency. This agency also administers Medicaid programs.

Medicare is an entitlement program similar to Social Security and is not based on financial need. Medicare benefits are available to all American citizens over the age of 65 because they or their spouses have paid Social Security taxes through their working years. Since Medicare is a federal program, the rules for eligibility remain constant throughout the nation and coverage remains constant regardless of where an individual receives treatment in the United States. ..."

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