5 Medicare secrets you should know

Medicare may help some 45 million seniors afford doctor visits and prescriptions, but that doesn't mean it makes it easy for them to do so. The federal health insurance program is filled with confusing options and complex regulations.

Navigating Medicare can be a nightmare for anyone, let alone seniors whose survival depends on the coverage they receive from this critical program.

Here are 5 secrets that will help you squeeze the most out of your Medicare coverage and avoid some all-too-common pitfalls.