The more you know about Medicare, the better use you can make of it -- improving your health and perhaps your pocketbook's health, as well.

Medicare healthcare coverage looms ahead for most of us, though we typically don't know much about it. And even those of us currently covered by it would do well to learn more. After all, the more you know, the better use you can make of the program. Here are three things every American needs to know about Medicare -- see how many you know.