There are a number of ways to get coverage to fill gaps in Medicare or to get assistance with Medicare costs:

– Employer Insurance: If you or your spouse is still working, and you have insurance through that job, it will work with Medicare to cover your health care costs. You should know whether your employer insurance is primary or secondary to Medicare.  Primary insurance is health insurance that pays first on a claim for medical and hospital care. Secondary insurance pays after primary insurance.

– Retiree Insurance: Some employers provide health insurance to retirees and their spouses to fill in the gaps of Medicare coverage. Retiree insurance always pays secondary to Medicare.

– Supplemental Insurance (Medigap): Insurance that you can buy from a private insurance company to fill in the gaps in Original Medicare coverage by paying for your Medicare deductibles, coinsurances and copayments. Premiums vary, depending on the plan you choose and the company you buy it from.

– Medicare Advantage: You can also get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan (such as an HMO or PPO). These plans contract with the government to provide Medicare benefits. They must provide at least the same set of benefits offered by Original Medicare, but may have different rules, costs and restrictions.