For those of you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, we have a reminder: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs from January 1 to March 31, so the opportunity to make changes to your plan will be gone soon.

During Open Enrollment, you can perform the following actions with regard to your Medicare Advantage plan:

• Switch from one Advantage plan into another that better suits you.
• Drop Medicare Advantage completely, and go back to Original Medicare
• Add a Part D (prescription) plan to Original Medicare, if you choose to go that route

Why do some beneficiaries choose to make changes to their Medicare Advantage plan? It is possible that you’ve discovered a favorite doctor has dropped out of the network. Or you might learn that your preferred facilities are not covered, or that necessary medications are not included on your plan’s formulary. Because medical needs (and even preferences for care) can change, it is understandable that you might wish to make changes to your Medicare plan.

Unfortunately, if you’re not already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, this is not the time to do so. You will have to wait until the Annual Election Period in the fall, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period at some point during the year.

But for those of you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, now is the time to ask questions about your coverage. In some cases, a different plan can offer significant benefits over the one in which you’re currently enrolled.