SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Medicare’s Open Enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During that period, Medicare recipients are allowed to change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year.

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year, including such things as cost, coverage and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review the materials your plan sends you and make sure your plan will continue to meet your needs in the coming year.

If you need help understanding your plan and other options available to you, there is a free, state-registered nonprofit organization in your area that can help.  It is HICAP (the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program.

HICAP’s volunteer counselors can help you decide whether you want to:

Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare; Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; Switch from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another; Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t enroll when you first were eligible for Medicare.

HICAP is administered by the California Department of Aging. Its trained volunteer counselors are available in person, by phone or by video-conferencing to answer questions and help seniors and other eligible recipients understand their Medicare rights and benefits.

HICAP counselors can provide information about Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap policies); Medicare Advantage plans; employee and retiree coverage; long-term-care insurance and how to appeal coverage denials.

To schedule a free, one-hour appointment with a state-registered HICAP Medicare counselor in Sacramento County:

Call – (916) 376-8915 or email – [email protected]

Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive an appointment reminder by phone, email or text prior to your appointment. If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason, you are asked to call (916) 375-3763.

For more information, go to www.HICAPservices.net.