Due to the economic downturn and rising health costs in recent years, an increasing number of companies have limited the availability of health care options for retirees. Seniors left to themselves may feel incapable or unsure of how to facilitate getting sufficient and affordable health benefits to supplement their Medicare coverage.

According to a 2011 survey by AARP, "More than half of Americans over 50 are somewhat or very uncomfortable with their retirement savings." Obvious financial implications aside, seniors also struggle as their employers shift more and more of the health costs onto their workers.

An annual survey of employer health benefits by human resources consultant Mercer reported that the percentage of employers with 500 and more workers who offered insurance to their Medicare-eligible employees fell from 40 percent in 1993 to 16 percent in 2011.  What's more, of the employers currently providing retiree benefits, about a third revealed in the same study that they may drop coverage in the next five years.