Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors older than 65, who have worked a full time job for at least 10 years. As a Medicare-covered senior you may end up paying for certain health care depending on:

• Type of care & how often it is needed
• Type of Medicare coverage chosen
• If there are other insurance polices
• If a doctor agrees to charge the same amount that Medicare will cover for a service
  

To receive Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) helps you pay for both brand name and generic drugs. Medicare drug plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

Supplement Health Insurance is also referred to as "Medigap." These policies will help pay out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance that Medicare does not cover. Medigap polices will not cover long-term care; dental or vision care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or private duty nursing.

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low income individuals, including seniors. To qualify for benefits, an eligible senior must have "spent down" most of their available assets. If so, Medicaid will pay for most of the costs associated with long-term health care, including nursing home care, skilled care services at home, and hospice care.

A Private Health Insurance plan can be purchased by individuals or can be provider by your employer. If you have an employee-sponsored policy, it may end when you retire unless you are part of an employee's pension or union plan. 

Long Term Care insurances covers care that is generally not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance plans. Long term care can help cover costs when you have a chronic medical condition, a disability or a disorder such as Alzheimer's disease.