Meaning & use
Medicare
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproperAmerican
The United States federal health insurance program mainly for people aged sixty-five and over and some younger people with disabilities.
Grammar: Capitalized and used without 'a' or 'the': Medicare covers hospital care.
Patterns
- be on Medicare
- covered by Medicare
Most people become eligible for Medicare at sixty-five.
The clinic accepts Medicare patients.
Medicare covers many hospital costs but not all.
proper nounproperAustralian
Australia's national public health insurance scheme that gives residents access to subsidized medical care.
Grammar: Australian usage; capitalized.
Patterns
- claim on Medicare
- bulk-billed by Medicare
Australians show their Medicare card at the clinic.
The doctor bulk-bills through Medicare.
Medicare pays part of the specialist's fee.
proper nounproperCanadianinformal
Canada's publicly funded health care system, run by the provinces.
Grammar: Informal Canadian use; capitalized.
Patterns
- covered by Medicare
Canadians often refer to their health system as Medicare.
The provincial Medicare plan covers hospital visits.
Medicare debates are common in Canadian politics.
Common combinations
- enroll in Medicare
- You can enroll in Medicare three months before you turn sixty-five.
- Medicare card
- Bring your Medicare card to the appointment.
- Medicare coverage
- Medicare coverage includes hospital stays.
- Medicare benefits
- She explained the Medicare benefits to her father.
- Medicare premium
- The Medicare premium is deducted monthly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Medicaid
- Medicaid is a separate U.S. program for low-income people, while Medicare is mainly for older adults.
- national health service
- The National Health Service is the British system funded by taxes, not insurance.
- health insurance
- Health insurance is a general term, while Medicare is one government program.
Word family
Commonly confused: Medicare or Medicaid?
Medicare vs Medicaid
Medicaid helps people with limited income, while Medicare is mostly for people sixty-five and over.
Practice
In the United States, which program mainly serves people aged sixty-five and older?
Choose one answer.
Medicare is the federal health insurance for older adults. Medicaid is for low-income people.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Medicare”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.