What is Medicare primarily for?

Medicare is primarily designed to provide health coverage for specific groups of individuals, including senior citizens aged 65 and over, disabled individuals who qualify through Social Security, and individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or certain conditions like ALS. This structure ensures that vulnerable populations, particularly those who may have significant healthcare needs due to age or serious health conditions, have access to necessary medical services.

The program focuses on offering health insurance to those who may not have adequate coverage through other means or who face high healthcare costs due to their age or disability. Medicare consists of different parts to cater to various aspects of healthcare needs, such as hospital services, medical services, and prescription drug coverage, which collectively support these populations.

This clear definition of Medicare’s target groups differentiates it from other healthcare programs that may focus on different demographics, such as low-income families and children, making the right answer centered around the intended beneficiaries of this federal program.