Medicare /med″iker/ , 1. a federally funded national health insurance program in the United States for people over 65 years of age or who meet other criteria. The program is administered in two parts. Part A provides basic protection against costs of medical, surgical, and psychiatric hospital care. Part B is a voluntary medical insurance program financed in part from federal funds and in part from premiums contributed by enrollees. Medicare enrollment is generally offered to people 65 years of age or older who are entitled to receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits. Individuals under age 65 can be eligible if they are disabled or have end-stage renal disease. 2. (in Canada) the unofficial name of the national health insurance program.
