Medicare Open Enrollment: Choose Carefully

Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, giving beneficiaries time to review and change Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D coverage.
Start by choosing between Original Medicare Parts A and B or a Medicare Advantage plan, based on health needs, prescriptions, and provider preferences.
Original Medicare usually works with most doctors, while Medicare Advantage requires the plan's card for claims and depends on that plan's provider network.
Miss the Dec. 7 deadline, and you generally must wait until the next year's Open Enrollment to switch Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D plans.
Changes made during Open Enrollment take effect Jan. 1, while Medicare supplement, long-term care, and dental plans can be changed any time.