Medicare is primarily for people who meet the following eligibility requirement:

Medicare is a federal health insurance program established under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and its primary eligibility criterion is age - specifically individuals 65 years of age and older. While certain disabled individuals and those with end-stage renal disease may also qualify, the program was founded and is predominantly structured around providing coverage for the elderly population.

Low-income is the primary eligibility criterion for Medicaid, not Medicare; Medicare eligibility is based on age (or disability/ESRD), not income level.

Children are the primary target of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), not Medicare.

While disabled individuals under 65 can qualify for Medicare after a waiting period, disability is a secondary eligibility pathway, not the primary defining criterion of the program.