What is Medicare primarily designed for?

Medicare is primarily designed to provide health insurance for individuals over the age of 65. This program serves as a critical resource for older adults, offering various coverage options to help them manage their healthcare costs, which often escalate with age due to chronic conditions and increased medical needs. While Medicare also covers certain younger people with disabilities and individuals with specific medical conditions such as end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the main demographic it was created to serve is older adults.

The focus on those over 65 is significant because this age group typically faces a higher likelihood of needing medical attention and long-term care services. Thus, making healthcare more accessible to this population is a fundamental goal of the Medicare program.

While there are programs and services targeting low-income families or children under 18, those populations are primarily served by other assistance programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The distinction highlights how Medicare is specifically aligned with the needs and circumstances of older Americans.