Who is typically eligible for Medicare?

The eligibility criteria for Medicare are primarily centered around age and certain medical conditions. By and large, any individual over the age of 65 is eligible for Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program designed to assist seniors with healthcare costs. Additionally, the program extends eligibility to younger individuals who have specific disabilities or who have been diagnosed with certain conditions, such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

This broad inclusion ensures that those who require medical support due to age or health conditions receive necessary healthcare services. Therefore, the answer highlighting individuals over 65 years of age or those with disabilities accurately encapsulates the primary qualifiers for Medicare eligibility.

In contrast, individuals under 18 years old do not meet the criteria for this program, and private health insurance status is not a requirement for Medicare eligibility since it is a government program. Furthermore, while veterans may have access to unique healthcare benefits, Medicare is not exclusive to them, as it serves a wider audience.