Changes

''Refers to the Federal Healthcare program; for other uses see [[Canadian Healthcare]]''

:''Refers to the Federal Healthcare program; for other uses see [[Canadian Healthcare]]''

 

'''Medicare''' is a [[socialized medicine]] program in the United States, consisting of more than 130,000 pages of regulations,<ref>As of 2000, and probably more even pages of regulations today.  ''See'' U.S. Senate Committee on Finance (106-2), Statement of Robert R. Waller, M.D., President Emeritus, Mayo Foundation, Chairman, The Healthcare Leadership Council, on behalf of the Healthcare Leadership Council (February 24, 2000).</ref> which reimburses some expenses for covered medical services for persons over 65 years old and for certain persons deemed disabled under 65 years old as follows:

'''Medicare''' is a [[socialized medicine]] program in the United States, consisting of more than 130,000 pages of regulations,<ref>As of 2000, and probably more even pages of regulations today.  ''See'' U.S. Senate Committee on Finance (106-2), Statement of Robert R. Waller, M.D., President Emeritus, Mayo Foundation, Chairman, The Healthcare Leadership Council, on behalf of the Healthcare Leadership Council (February 24, 2000).</ref> which reimburses some expenses for covered medical services for persons over 65 years old and for certain persons deemed disabled under 65 years old as follows:

Many elderly individuals buy "Medigap" plans from private industry to cover expenses that Medicare will not cover.

Many elderly individuals buy "Medigap" plans from private industry to cover expenses that Medicare will not cover.

==Medicare Advantage==

==Medicare Advantage==

[[Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service|Medicare Advantage]] is a private health insurance program that competes directly with the government-run Medicare program. In 2009 23% of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Both insure people age 65 and older and some younger, disabled people. Under Medicare Advantage, the government contracts with private insurers, which offer policies that cover doctor visits, hospitalization and sometimes prescription medications. Medicare Advantage plans must offer at least the same benefits as traditional Medicare, but many providers include more in a bid to attract customers. Such plans were introduced in the 1970s in an effort to cut Medicare costs. However, as the government sought to add coverage in underserved—often rural—areas, costs soared. According to the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Medicare Advantage now costs the government 14% more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare.

[[Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service|Medicare Advantage]] is a private health insurance program that competes directly with the government-run Medicare program. In 2009 23% of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Both insure people age 65 and older and some younger, disabled people. Under Medicare Advantage, the government contracts with private insurers, which offer policies that cover doctor visits, hospitalization and sometimes prescription medications. Medicare Advantage plans must offer at least the same benefits as traditional Medicare, but many providers include more in a bid to attract customers. Such plans were introduced in the 1970s in an effort to cut Medicare costs. However, as the government sought to add coverage in underserved—often rural—areas, costs soared. According to the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Medicare Advantage now costs the government 14% more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare.