Medicare

American  

[med-i-kair] / ˈmɛd ɪˌkɛər /

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a U.S. government program of hospitalization insurance and voluntary medical insurance for persons aged 65 and over and for certain disabled persons under 65.

2. (lowercase) any of various government-funded programs to provide medical care to a population.

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Medicare British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌkɛə /

noun

1. (in the US) a federally sponsored health insurance programme for persons of 65 or older

2. (often not capital) (in Canada) a similar programme covering all citizens

3. (in Australia) a government-controlled general health-insurance scheme

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Medicare ¹ Cultural  

1. A federal health insurance program, administered by the Social Security Administration, that provides health care for the aged.

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Medicare ² Cultural  

1. A federal program providing medical care for the elderly. Established by a health insurance bill in 1965, as part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, the Medicare program made a significant step for social welfare legislation and helped establish the growing population of the elderly as a pressure group. (See entitlements.)

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Etymology

Origin of Medicare

medi(cal) + care

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Medicare

During that time, people can switch from traditional Medicare to a private Medicare Advantage plan, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join or change a Medicare Part D prescription-drug plan.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

AI answered correctly, saying that complaints are not publicly published but that there are Medicare star ratings that can be helpful in making selections.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

KFF’s Freed said the best resources are the Medicare Plan Finder, 1-800-MEDICARE and state health insurance assistance programs, known as SHIPs, which are free, independent counseling services for Medicare beneficiaries.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

So should you use AI to find a Medicare Advantage plan?

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

Some were covered through Medicare, others on and off by spouses, but they all went stretches with no coverage or money for treatment.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot