# Medicare

/ˈmɛdəˌkɛɹ/ (US) · /mˈɛdɪkˌeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/medicare
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. US healthcare for elderly

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a US government program that pays for healthcare for people over 65 and some people with disabilities.

For teachers: a federal health insurance program in the United States primarily for individuals aged 65 or older and younger people with specific disabilities.

- My grandfather relies on Medicare to cover his monthly doctor visits.
- The debate over federal spending often focuses on the long-term sustainability of Medicare as the aging population increases demand for services.

Usage: Usually capitalized as a proper noun.

### 2. Australian universal healthcare

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

the system in Australia that provides free or low-cost medical care to all citizens.

For teachers: the publicly funded universal healthcare system in Australia, providing access to medical services for all citizens and permanent residents.

- You need to show your Medicare card when you visit a clinic in Sydney.
- The Australian government introduced Medicare to ensure that basic medical treatment remains accessible to all residents regardless of their income level.

Usage: Usually capitalized as a proper noun.

### 3. Canadian public health system

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect

the unofficial name for the public health insurance system in Canada.

For teachers: an informal but widely used term for the publicly funded single-payer health insurance system in Canada.

- Canadians often take great pride in their system of medicare.
- While the Canada Health Act governs the standards, most citizens simply refer to the entire provincial insurance framework as medicare.

Usage: Often written in lowercase in Canadian English when referring to the general system.

## Examples

- My grandmother uses Medicare to pay for her doctor visits.
- After turning sixty-five last month, he spent several hours reviewing the different coverage options available under Medicare.
- The debate over federal spending often focuses on the long-term sustainability of Medicare as the aging population places increasing demands on the healthcare system.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.