Medicare Basics

Medicare is the nation's leading health insurance program and is operated through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare offers health insurance to three types of people:

1. Persons 65 years of age and older;

2. Persons who are disabled and have been receiving Social Security Disability for at least 24 months; and

3. Anyone with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Medicare Part A helps beneficiaries cover the costs of inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.

Medicare Part B helps cover mostly outpatient services and other costs not covered by Part A (including therapies and some costs associated with home health care).

In order to become eligible to receive Medicare benefits, you must have worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters).

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