SEER-Medicare: Medicare Enrollment & Claims Data

Medicare is the federally funded program that provides health insurance for the elderly, persons with end-stage renal disease, and some disabled. For persons age 65 and over, 97 percent are eligible for Medicare. Almost all Medicare beneficiaries have Part A coverage that includes hospital, skilled-nursing facility, hospice and some home health care. 96 percent of elderly Part A beneficiaries choose to pay a monthly premium to enroll in Part B of Medicare that covers physician and outpatient services. While some Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in HMOs, most have fee-for-service (FFS) coverage. Information about Medicare eligibility and enrollment is available for all Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare claims (bills) are available only for persons with FFS coverage. For more information about Medicare data, please see the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site.