For Rhode Island’s nearly 190,000 Medicare beneficiaries, October 15 is going to mark the beginning of open enrollment. If you are happy with your present plans, it would be a wise decision to review your choices during this period, which is going to be over on December 7.

It would be an advantageous move if you look at the options, even if you are pleased with your current plans. By reviewing your coverage, you will be able to note down newly diagnosed medical conditions, new medications and other changes.

You can start this process by reviewing the ‘2016 Medicare and You’, handbook, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide you. You can call (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227; the TTY number is 877-486-2048), or got to medicare.gov to order one, in case you haven’t received a copy. Coverage, enrollment periods and other information required to make educated health insurance choices, will be explained in this comprehensive guide.

You can make various changed during open enrollment. You can shift from Original Medicare (Part A-hospital and Part B-medical insurance) to a Medicare Advantage plan; you can get back to Original Medicare from Medicare Advantage plan; you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan; You can also shift from a Medicare Advantage plan, not including Part D to a plan with Part D coverage; You can chose to get transferred from a Medicare Advantage plan, including Part D coverage plan, to a plan that does not include this coverage; and you can be a part of a Medicare Part D plan by switching from one Part D plan to a different plan, or by dropping your Part D plan.