Medicare is a contributory program primarily serving which groups?

• A. Elderly and disabled
• B. Children
• C. Low-income families
• D. Private employees

Answer: (A)

Medicare is a contributory social insurance program funded by payroll taxes, designed to provide health coverage mainly to people who have paid into the system through work. The groups it primarily serves are the elderly and individuals with qualifying disabilities (and some with end-stage renal disease). That’s why the correct focus is on the elderly and disabled. Children are typically covered by Medicaid or CHIP, not Medicare; low-income families rely on Medicaid; private employees usually obtain coverage through private employers rather than Medicare (though some may eventually qualify for Medicare if they become elderly or meet disability criteria).