The official U.S. government website for Medicare, a health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people with disabilities.

Medicare health plans provide Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits to people with Medicare. These plans are generally offered by private companies that contract with Medicare.

Medicare offers different options for you to get health care coverage. Start here to get the basics and find out how Medicare works before you look at your coverage options.

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Get basics on how Medicare works, sign up, and review your options for more coverage. Learn about it at your own pace.

Understand the parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D and Medigap, and how they relate to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. Find providers that work with Medicare. Join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) to get drug coverage. Buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help lower your share of costs for services you get.

Need help beyond what’s on Medicare.gov? You can talk or live chat with a real person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays.) 1-800-MEDICARE ( 1-800-633-4227 )

Explore covered items and services and learn what Original Medicare doesn’t cover (like long-term care, dentures, and routine physical exams). Is my test, item, or service covered? Find out if Original Medicare covers what you need.

A federal government website managed and paid for by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244