The original Medicare benefit program, passed in 1965, was comprised of two parts. Part A contained the hospital part of the Medicare insurance coverage. Part B, specified the medical part of the Medicare insurance coverage. Parts C and D were later added to address additional health concerns.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are the agencies of the U.S. government that administer the Medicare program. Medicare provides health insurance coverage to citizens who are at least 65 years old. Specific criteria must be met for a person younger than 65 to be eligible for the CMS Medicare program.
New CMS Medicare drug plans were made available to all Medicare members on January 1, 2006. These plans were made possible through insurance companies and private interest working with CMS Medicare. Discounts on drug prices are possible through this partnership. CMS Medicare members must research and choose a drug plan suitable to their situations.