Medicare is the Nation’s health insurance program
for people aged 65 and older, some people under age 65 with
disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent
kidney failure). Medicare has four components: Part A covers
hospital, skilled nursing, home health, and hospice care;
Part B covers physician services, outpatient services, and
durable medical equipment; Part C is a managed care program
now known as “Medicare Advantage;” and Part D, added in
2006, covers prescription drugs.
In 2005, 56 percent of Medicare’s 42.5
million enrollees, were female. A majority of Medicare enrollees
were aged 65 and older; the elderly represented 87 percent
of female and 81 percent of male enrollees.
Of the 43 million enrollees eligible for the Medicare Part
D prescription drug program in 2006, 55.8 percent were female.
Of those who enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans,
6.6 million (61 percent) were female. The largest group
of women enrolled in Part D is the 75- to 89-year-old age
group, with 2.85 million enrollees, followed by the 65-
to 74-year-old age group with 2.76 million.
Medicaid is jointly funded by the Federal and
State governments and provides coverage for
low-income people and people with disabilities.
In 2004, Medicaid covered 58 million individuals
including children; the aged, blind, and
disabled; and adults who are eligible for cash
assistance programs. Overall, 59 percent of all
Medicaid enrollees were female; of the adults
enrolled in Medicaid, 69 percent were women
(data not shown).