Medicare coverage is the United State's program to help the elderly and disabled obtain the medical care that they need but cannot necessarily afford.
This should never be confused with Medicaid, which is the country's health plan for the needy.
You must be at least 65 years old to qualify for Medicare part A.
While people who need help getting regular or preventative care can get Medicare as well, this part only deals with people who need help paying for a stay in the hospital or care after being released from a hospital while still sick.
Some people may also be able to use this section of Medicare coverage to pay for hospice services, skilled nursing facilities, or other types of care related to a serious disability.
Often, people who are eligible for medical coverage under Medicare Part A will also be eligible for coverage from other parts of the plan.
Medicare coverage under this section does not entitle you to see a doctor or receive any routine coverage, so coverage under the other parts is needed for many people.
To become eligible for this type of coverage once you reach the age of 65, you simply need to be a legal resident or permanent resident of the U.
S.
And eligible to receive Social Security payments.
Everyone who works legally inside the country pays into the Social Security fund through their paychecks.
This entitles them to coverage in programs such as Medicare once they retire.
You can also be eligible for Medicare if a spouse or other immediate family member worked for the government and paid into the Social Security fund for a long enough period of time.
Medicare Part A helps people who are very sick get the care they need through local hospitals, home health care agencies, or a hospice.
You can apply for coverage three months prior to actually turning 65 years old.