All of the Americans who receive their insurance benefits from Medicare need to become aware that the Medicare Open Enrollment Period will begin this coming October 15.

What is the Medicare open enrollment period?During this open enrollment period you can make new choices and pick plans that work best for you depending upon your doctors and the medications you are taking.   Each year Medicare plans change what they will cost and what they will cover. In addition, your health-care needs may have changed over the past year. This annual  open enrollment period is your opportunity to switch Medicare health and prescription drug plans to better suit your needs.What are the dates of the Open Enrollment Period?

The Medicare open enrollment period begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. Any changes made during open enrollment are effective as of January 1, 2014.

What can I do during this period?

  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
  • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
  • Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage altogether
  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare
  • Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to a different Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer prescription drug coverage