Which demographic is primarily covered by Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that primarily covers individuals aged 65 and over. This demographic is the primary focus of Medicare because the program was established to provide health care coverage for senior citizens, addressing their increased health care needs as they age.

While there are certain provisions in Medicare for younger individuals with disabilities and for those with specific conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the core mission of Medicare targets older adults. This distinction is essential for understanding how health insurance programs cater to different age groups and health needs.

In contrast, children under 18 are typically covered by programs like Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Low-income adults may also seek coverage through Medicaid rather than Medicare, and employees with employer-sponsored plans would obtain their health insurance through their employment rather than Medicare. This makes the focus on the elderly demographic essential in recognizing the unique structure of Medicare.