Medicare is a national health insurance program sponsored by the U.S. Government and managed by the Social Security Administration. It is generally available to those age 65 and older, and to younger disabled people, such as those with kidney failure.

Medicare should not be confused with Medicaid, a health care program for low-income people, administered by individual states.

Medicare is divided into two parts: Part A which includes benefits for hospital and skilled nursing home care; and Part B which helps pay for doctors' bills and outpatient services.

If you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement when you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare. You will not have to pay any premiums for Part A. Part B is optional and requires payment of monthly premiums.

Younger, disabled people receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement will automatically be enrolled in Medicare after receiving disability benefits for 24 months.

People enrolled in Medicare Part A pay a yearly deductible before they begin receiving benefits. In 1996, this deductible was $736. Part A benefits include the following services:

• semiprivate hospital room,
• nursing and other hospital services,
• hospice care,
• inpatient rehabilitative services,
• limited nursing home care, and
• limited nursing care at home.

If you would like more details about Medicare coverage, you can contact Social Security at (800) 772-1213. They will help you determine your eligibility for coverage and can also answer questions about programs such as QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) and SLMB (Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary).

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