medicare

IPA/ˈmedɪkeə(r)/
KK[mˈɛdəkˌɛr]IPA/ˈmedɪker/

medicare — noun

1. A health insurance program run by the US federal government, mainly for people a

1.nounB1
Definition

A health insurance program run by the US federal government, mainly for people aged 65 and older, that helps pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and other medical costs.

Example

After Ada turned 65, she signed up for Medicare to help pay for her medical bills.

aged 65+ eligibility for Medicare

Medicare covers many hospital services for older people across the United States.

covers hospital services

Common collocations
  • Medicare benefits
  • Medicare eligibility
  • qualify for Medicare
  • Medicare age
  • Medicare Part A
  • Medicare Part B

Grammar Patterns

Medicare + covers/provides/pays for

on Medicare

sign up for Medicare

Usage Note

Often used with a capital M as a proper noun. Do not confuse with Medicaid, a separate US program that provides health insurance for people with low income of any age.

Common Mistakes

My uncle is 62 and he can get Medicare now.
My uncle is 62 and he can get Medicaid now.
Medicare starts at age 65; Medicaid is for low-income people of any age.

2. The national public healthcare system in Australia — and a similar program in Ca

2.nounB1
Definition

The national public healthcare system in Australia — and a similar program in Canada — that gives all citizens access to free or low-cost medical care, with the costs covered by tax money.

Example

When Baraka moved to Australia, he registered with Medicare to access local doctors.

register with Medicare as a new resident

Medicare in Australia covers visits to general doctors without charging the patient.

free visits to general doctors

Common collocations
  • Medicare card
  • Medicare levy
  • Medicare number
  • universal Medicare
  • register for Medicare

Grammar Patterns

Medicare + covers/provides

on Medicare

Medicare card

Usage Note

In Australia, 'Medicare' refers to the universal public health system for all residents. In Canada, the term 'medicare' (often lowercase) refers to the nationally-funded health insurance system run by each province or territory. This sense is the same as the Australian/Canadian usage; distinguish from Sense 1 (US Medicare) which only covers people aged 65+.

Common Mistakes

In Australia, only people over 65 can use Medicare.
In Australia, every resident can use Medicare regardless of age.
Australia's Medicare covers all citizens and permanent residents; the age restriction applies only to the US program.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Medicare coverage
  • Medicare benefits
  • Medicare card
  • Medicare system
  • Medicare office

Phrases

  • apply for Medicare
  • eligible for Medicare
  • covered by Medicare

Prepositions

  • on Medicare
  • sign up for Medicare
  • qualify for Medicare