Medicare (www.medicare.gov, www.medicare.org) is a government administered health insurance program that provides coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. Medicare was passed by Congress in 1965 and operates as a single-payer health care system. Medicare is funded by the following sources: payroll taxes imposed by the self-employment contributions act and the federal insurance contributions act. Individuals who are eligible for Medicare coverage are: U.S. citizens or who have been a permanent legal resident for 5 continuous years, and they are 65 years or older, or they are under 65 and meet certain special conditions. These conditions include: need a kidney transplant, eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, get continuing dialysis for end stage renal disease, receive either social security or railroad retirement benefits, or have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Currently, Medicare provides health coverage for more than 43 million Americans. Medicare is split into 4 different parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage plans), and Part D (Prescription Drug plans). Medicare Part D was started to subsidize the cost of prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries. Prior to Medicare Part D, Medicare only covered out-patient care and hospital care. Medicare Part D is available to eligible individuals through private insurance plans that Medicare contracts with.

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