General Program Benefits

10 - General Program Benefits (Rev. 1, 09-11-02) The Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled Act (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), known as "Medicare," has made available to nearly every American 65 years of age and older a broad program of health insurance designed to assist the nation's elderly to meet hospital, medical, and other health costs. Health insurance coverage has also been extended to persons under age 65 qualifying as disabled and those having end stage renal disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig's disease. The program includes two related health insurance programs--hospital insurance (HI) (Part A) and supplementary medical insurance (SMI) (Part B).