October 15 until December 7 is the window of opportunity and the official countdown for you to chose Medicare. After that period, you may be locked into your current plan until 2015.
Whether you have original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, this is your opportunity to make any changes you desire.
This opportunity is Medicare's open enrollment period, which is also known as the Medicare Annual Election Period.
Any changes you make to your Medicare selections will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2014
Medicare plan benefits and your individual needs can change on a yearly basis, so make sure you utilize this open enrollment period to compare your options and find the perfect fit for you.
For example, over the past year, have you had to change the prescriptions you take? Have you been diagnosed with a new medical condition? Any of these changes could possibly mean your current Medicare plan may no longer meet your needs.
Medicare plans also change. The costs of your plan can go up or down, and prescription drugs can be added or dropped from the list of drugs included in your plan. Some Medicare plans change the benefits they offer or stop offering coverage in a particular location.