What does Medicare primarily cover?

Medicare primarily covers insurance for individuals aged 65 and older, along with some younger people who have disabilities or specific health conditions, such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This program is designed to provide health insurance to individuals who may have limited access to affordable healthcare due to age or disability.

The focus of Medicare is on providing essential medical services, including hospital care, outpatient care, preventative services, and some aspects of home health care. By primarily targeting seniors and certain disabled individuals, Medicare plays a critical role in ensuring that these populations have access to necessary healthcare services, which can significantly affect their quality of life.

The other options, while related to healthcare, do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of Medicare. Health insurance for all ages would imply a universal coverage model, which is not the case for Medicare. Emergency care for uninsured individuals pertains more closely to programs like Medicaid or emergency rooms treating anyone regardless of insurance. Long-term care in nursing homes is generally not covered by Medicare, as this program is not designed to pay for the long-term custodial care that many nursing homes provide.