New to Medicare?
A Brief History of Medicare
Medicare's history began in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson asked Congress to create the program. In 1965, Congress passed legislation to create Medicare as part of the Social Security Amendments, and on July 30th, Pres. Johnson signed the bill into law. The signing ceremony took place in Independence, Missouri, with former President Harry S. Truman in attendance.
Medicare services began on July 1, 1966, and more than 19 million Americans aged 65 and older enrolled. Before Medicare, only about half of people over 65 had some form of hospital insurance, and few of those had coverage for surgical and out-of-hospital physician costs. Over time, Medicare was expanded to include more disabilities and provisions for prescription drug coverage.
What Medicare Covers
Medicare Covers...
Inpatient Hospital Care
Behavioral & Mental Health
Hospice Care
Skilled Nursing Facility Care
Home Health Services
Nursing Home Care
Therapy
Clinical Research
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
Preventive Services
Durable Medical Services
Medically necessary services or supplies that meet accepted standards of medical practice to diagnose or treat medical conditions
Ambulance Services
Limited Outpatient Prescription Drugs
Oxygen Equipment & Accessories
What Medicare Doesn't Cover
Medicare Does NOT Cover...
Massage Therapy
Hearing Aids
Annual Physical Examinations
Retainer Based or Concierge Care
Cosmetic Surgery
Custodial Care or Long-Term Care
Most dental care, including routine cleanings and dentures
Routine eye examinations
Maintenance Medications
Who is Eligible?
Medicare is generally available to individuals who are 65 or older under the following conditions:
- Must be a citizen of the United States or have been a legal resident for at least 5 years
- You or your spouse (current or former) has worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment
Medicare is generally available to individuals who are younger than age 65 under the following conditions:
- People with disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant) or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease)
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