About

Medicare is a Federal Government health insurance program that is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare is divided into four parts - Parts A, B, C, and D. Part A is Hospital Insurance and helps pay for inpatient hospital care and care at nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care services. Part B is Medical Insurance and covers doctor services, outpatient care, and some preventive services. Part C is the Medicare Advantage Plans, which allow you to get Medicare benefits through private companies approved by and under contract with Medicare (includes Part A, Part B, and usually other benefits Medicare doesn't cover). Most plans also provide prescription drug coverage. Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage and is run by private companies approved by Medicare. Medicare reimburses patient care costs for its beneficiaries who participate in clinical trials designed to diagnose or treat cancer. To receive information on eligibility, explanations of coverage, and related publications, call Medicare or visit their Web site. Some publications are available in Spanish.