My wife became total disabled in 1998 and has been on SS since that time and insured through my work insurance policy the entire time. As I am preparing to retire, she went to apply for her Medicare and was informed that she would have to prove coverage the entire time or pay a penalty monthly on her premiums. Since we are talking 20 years and several jobs later that task has proved impossible due to business closing and corporate red tape. What alternatives do we have?