If you are approaching 65 or helping a loved one, here is a clear, jargon-free explanation of what Medicare is and how it works.
What is Medicare and who runs it?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program created in 1965 and administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It provides health coverage to Americans 65 and older and to younger people with qualifying disabilities or conditions like ALS and end-stage renal disease. Funded through payroll taxes, premiums, and general revenue, Medicare is one of the largest health programs in the world. It is not a single plan but a set of parts you combine to fit your needs. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to learn which parts you need.
How does Medicare actually work?
You typically start with Original Medicare (Parts A and B), which lets you see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare. You then decide how to handle the gaps: add a Part D drug plan and a Medicare Supplement (MEDIGAP) policy, or instead choose a private Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that bundles everything. Original Medicare pays roughly 80% of Part B costs, leaving the rest to you. Because that exposure has no cap, most people add supplemental coverage. A licensed agent at 1-800-MEDIGAP can explain the path that fits you best.