What age group qualifies for Medicare coverage?

Medicare coverage primarily targets individuals who are 65 years and older, providing them with essential healthcare benefits, including hospital insurance, medical insurance, and prescription drug coverage. The program also serves younger individuals who have specific disabilities, allowing those under 65 to qualify for Medicare if they have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months or have specific conditions such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This dual eligibility reflects Medicare's role in addressing the healthcare needs of a broader population, not just seniors.

In contrast, options indicating that Medicare is exclusive to those under 65 or only for disabled individuals do not capture this full scope of eligibility. Moreover, suggesting that the program is restricted to veterans misrepresents Medicare as a federal program available to a wider audience, including non-veterans who fit the age or disability criteria. Thus, the comprehensive eligibility criteria that encompass both age and disability solidify why the response that refers to individuals who are either 65 years and older or disabled is accurate.