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What is the definition of Medicare?

WE ANSWER:

Medicare is a government-sponsored social insurance program that provides assistance for paying medical services received by people 65 years old or older. This includes medical-related expenses such as hospitalization, doctor's fees, nursing care, home health care and surgery.

Those who are eligible to receive Medicare benefits include people who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents (for 5 continuous years) and their spouses who have paid Medicare fees for not less than 10 years. These must be 65 years old or older. Those who are below 65 years of age may still receive Medicare benefits if they are disabled (more conditions apply), are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease or end stage renal disease.

The Hospital Insurance component of Medicare pays part of the medical expenses during a patient's stay in the hospital. Meanwhile, the Medical Insurance aspect of Medicare pays for a portion that is generally received on an outpatient basis.

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