Medicare Concerns

Jane Doe

March 6, 2008

Sociology 661

Dr. Johnson

How Medicare Works

By: Robert Friedland

As with many other policies in our nation, based on the growing needs of the population, some parts of these policies have changed over time. Take Medicare for example. Medicare was created in the year 1965 and was originally intended to help those over the age 65 to supplement health care benefits. Before Medicare, only about half of Americans actually had health insurance. Medicare has different parts to it

(Part A, B, C, D). Medicare is definitely a major player in the United States Health care system because so many people use this type of insurance in order to supplement their different health care needs. Medicare is something that because of its different parts can be paid for or taken care of by tax payers for certain procedures.

Most people assume that Medicare is only for old people; but this is not entirely true. Generally, as far as people aged 65 and older are concerned, as long as they have worked 40 quarters or more in a profession that is covered by Medicare, they and their spouse will be eligible at 65 to receive some of the benefits that Medicare provides. Medicare was originally intended to aid America’s aging population, but now, it is not limited to just this sector of people. For example, one can receive Medicare benefits if they actually make over the �low-income’ limits set by Medicaid, they just have to pay 25% or more of the coverage that they choose to receive. Younger people are eligible for Medicare too if they have end-term illnesses.

Medicare covers the following:

Part