Medicare Open Enrollment Oct 15 - Dec 7

Your local SHIP counselor is probably happy that Medicare has moved open enrollment to begin and end earlier starting this year, though it's also a little longer. Every year changes are made in virtually every Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, and your prescription drug needs may have changed, too. Every Medicare beneficiary should review the changes and reconsider options every year before the end of open enrollment ends and the opportunity to change plans ends until next year.

Starting this year open enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7. This is the time any Medicare beneficiary may change plans without penalty or coverage interruption, and your new plan choice becomes effective January 1.

West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries can get help reviewing options from local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors at county senior centers. You can compare your current coverage with other available plans yourself at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan.