What does Medicare primarily provide coverage for?

Medicare primarily provides coverage for citizens aged 65 or older. This program is a federal health insurance initiative designed to support senior citizens by covering a portion of their healthcare costs, including hospital stays, outpatient services, and some medical supplies and services. While individuals under 65 may also qualify for Medicare if they have certain disabilities or specific health conditions like end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the main demographic targeted by Medicare is indeed the elderly population.

Other groups mentioned, like individuals with low income or children under 18, may find coverage through different programs such as Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which are designed to provide assistance to low-income families or children specifically. Private insurance plans cover a different segment of the population that seeks other types of health coverage and do not align with Medicare's specific purpose of serving primarily the elderly population.