Medicare is a 2-part Federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and certain disabled people. One part is Hospital insurance (also called Part A). The other part is Medical insurance (also called Part B).
Hospital insurance can help pay for:
- medically necessary inpatient hospital care;
- inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility; and
- care in your home by a home health agency.
Medical insurance can help pay for:
- medically necessary doctor's services;
- outpatient hospital services;
- outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology services; and
- a number of other medical services and supplies that are not covered by the hospital insurance part of Medicare.
If you are "permanently disabled" for any "regular work" and receive a monthly retirement or disability annuity, early Medicare coverage may begin after a waiting period (see Waiting Period Requirement for Early Medicare Defined).
If you suffer from chronic renal disease, early Medicare coverage may begin after a 3-month waiting period. Contact the Social Security Administration for this coverage.