A few days remain until the Dec. 31 Medicare enrollment deadline for seniors who want to change their Medicare health plan and Part D coverage for prescription drugs for 2011.

During this period, individuals with Medicare can move in and or out of any type of Medicare coverage they choose. For example you can enroll in a new health or drug plan, change your health or drug plan, or even drop your health plan and return to original Medicare with what is known as a stand-alone prescription drug plan. All changes made would take effect on January 1, 2011.

Even if you are satisfied with your current plan, it is important to look for a mailing from your insurance company with information about your current coverage and any changes to your plan for 2011. 

Comparing your plan options for 2011 against other plans is the best way to decide whether you should stay with your current plan or make a change. Before you choose your plan for 2011, you need to check your plan’s new monthly premium, new deductible, co-payments for all health practitioner visits and the co-payments for each drug you take. Also check to see if your plan covers all your current medications, and that the plan will continue to work with your pharmacy next year.

The plan you are enrolled in on Dec. 31 is the coverage you will have on January 1st, 2011. For the first 45 days of 2011 you will have one chance to drop a health plan, drug plan or both but you cannot change plans during this time. If you keep the coverage you have, you will be locked into this coverage for all of 2011 unless you have ”Extra Help” (also known as LIS or low income subsidy), or are in a Medicare Savings Program, have Medicaid and Medicare or qualify for a special enrollment period.

For Free Help

• Call the Medicare Help Line at the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services at (914) 813-6100.
• Call a Senior Benefits Information Center that the Westchester Library System presents in partnership with the Medicare Rights Center and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services at local libraries:
  • Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 Main St., counselors available Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. From Nov. 23 through Dec. 28, counselors available Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., call (914) 269-7764.
  • Warner Library, 121 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, counselors available Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., call (914) 269-7765.
  • Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Ave., Yonkers, counselors available Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays , 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., call (914) 269-7138.
  • John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main St., Shrub Oak, counselors available Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. From Nov. 17 through Dec. 29, counselors will also be available Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., call (914) 269-7137.
• For more information on upcoming Medicare programs or other Senior Benefits Information Center offerings, contact Robin Osborne, director of the Westchester Library System’s Office of Community Connections, at (914) 231-3237.
• Visit the federal government’s Medicare Web site, which has a Plan Finder or Formulary Finder, or call the federal government’s Medicare Line at (800) 633-4227.