Hassle-Free Health Coverage: Medicare and State Plans

Medicare is health insurance for the aged or disabled. Aged means 65 years old or older. (Though Congress has recently considered raising the qualifying age to 67.) Disabled means that the person is totally disabled as determined by Social Security or an individual has a major kidney problem which requires dialysis treatment. Reaching age 65 or having disability status qualifies an individual for this federal health care program.

Medicare is financed through the payment of the Medicare tax which is part of the total Social Security taxes paid by workers and their employers.

The other main federal health care program is Medicaid. Like Medicare, this coverage has many limitations. Qualification for benefits under Medicaid is based on financial need. And, even then, the coverage is limited. It's not great coverage.

In addition to state and federal programs in which the government becomes a health care provider, there are other organizations and entities which serve as health care providers.

We will consider these programs (including Medicare and Medicaid) in greater length later.