{"id":355790,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/medicare-medicaid\/medicare-an-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-03-13T10:11:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T15:11:34","slug":"medicare-an-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/medicare-medicaid\/medicare-an-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Medicare Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Medicare Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Medicare is a government-run health insurance program for the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or a transplant. Citizens pay for Medicare through contributions deducted from paychecks during their working years.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article provides a general overview of Medicare<\/a> and its main components, with information about eligibility, coverage, and enrollment.<\/p>\r\n

Medicare Overview<\/h2>\r\n

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), manage Medicare and Medicaid programs.<\/p>\r\n

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income Americans jointly administered by the federal government and each state.<\/p>\r\n

By contrast, Medicare is a national health insurance program administered by the federal government. You can learn more about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid in this FindLaw article<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Medicare Eligibility<\/h2>\r\n

People with ESRD<\/a> can enroll in Medicare if they meet all of the following criteria:<\/p>\r\n