Hassle-Free Health Coverage: Government Plans

There are two main programs in which the government becomes a health care provider: Medicare and Medicaid.

If you are age 65 or older -- or disabled -- you could be eligible for Medicare, a federal health care program financed by the Social Security taxes that are taken out of you and your employer's paychecks.

The other major federal health care program is Medicaid. Qualification for benefits in a Medicaid program are based on financial need and the coverage offered under the plan is fairly limited.