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

1. 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.
   For more information on employer insurance, click on the links in the GO TO box.
2. 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.
   For more information on retiree insurance, click on the link in the GO TO box.
3. Veterans' Administration Benefits: If you are a veteran and qualify for VA health benefits, health care and prescription drugs that you get through the VA may be the cheapest. The VA may also cover certain health care that Medicare will not cover for you.
   For more information on VA benefits, click on the link in the GO TO box.
4. 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. Depending on where you live, you have up to 12 different Medigap plans to choose from, labeled A through L (plans in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Minnesota have different names). Each offers a different set of benefits. Premiums vary, depending on the plan you choose and the company you buy it from.
   For more information on insurance that fill gaps in Original Medicare, click on the link in the GO TO box.
5. Stand-alone Medicare private drug plan (Part D): If you have Original Medicare and want Medicare drug coverage, you need to sign up for a private plan that only offers drug coverage (PDP). All Medicare drug plans have different costs and a different list of drugs that they cover. Make sure the plan you choose covers the drugs you need at a cost you can afford.
   For more information on how to compare Medicare private drug plans, click on the link in the GO TO box.
6. You can also get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare private health 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. Some private health plans may offer extra benefits, such as vision or dental services. While premiums may be low, service costs may be higher than in Original Medicare and are generally higher if you do not follow the plan rules. Benefit packages may change every year.
   For more information on Medicare Advantage private health plans, click on the link in the GO TO box.

If you have a limited income, you may be able to get assistance through certain programs:

1. Medicaid: If you have a low monthly income and assets, you may be eligible for coverage from Medicaid to pay Medicare costs and for health care not covered by Medicare, such as transportation to medical appointments.
   For more information on Medicaid, click on the link in the GO TO box.
2. Medicare Savings Programs: If you do not qualify for Medicaid but still have problems paying for health care, you may qualify for government programs that help pay your Medicare costs.
   For more information on Medicare Savings Programs, click on the link in the GO TO box.

Note: There are many programs that can help pay for prescription drugs.

For more information about Medicare coverage of prescription drugs, click on the link in the GO TO box.

For more information about programs that can help with your prescription drug costs, click on the link in the GO TO box.