Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease. Medicare covers medical services, including hospitalizations, physician services, preventive services, prescription drugs, post-acute care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care. The program covers 59 million people nationally and 5.6 million people in California (14% of California’s total population), and 38% of Medicare seniors are enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans.

Together with the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association advocates for improved access to care, appropriate Medicare reimbursement, reduced electronic health records and quality reporting burdens, and overall regulatory relief, as well as innovative physician-led payment models that help physicians improve quality, efficiency, coordination and access to care.