If you are like most people, you have called your insurance provider with a question, been put on hold, and finally reached a representative only to discover you did not have all the necessary documents in front of you.

It can be easier. This infographic provides some tips to help you get the best results when communicating with insurers. Remember: If you have questions about your insurance coverage, whether you have Original Medicare or get your benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO or PPO), you have the right to get answers.

Medicare can either be primary or secondary to your employer coverage. This usually depends on the size of the employer and whether or not someone is currently working.

Primary insurance pays first for health care claims. Secondary insurance pays after the primary insurance for some or all of what the primary insurance did not cover. Knowing which is primary is important because secondary insurance often refuses to pay anything if the primary insurance has not paid first.

Check out this handy infographic explaining when employer coverage is primary and when Medicare is primary.