Authorities concerned announced that people have health insurance through Medicare then their annual open enrollment period is starting from Thursday, October 15 and would run through December 7. But the choices that people will make will go into effect from January 1.

Medicare is the health-care program meant for those aged 65 and above. And, by the term annual open enrollment period means the time when they can change their choices with regard to Part D (prescription drug) coverage, change Medigap plans, enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and/ or change Medicare Advantage plans.

Experts shared that normal Medicare covers hospital stays and outpatient visits on a fee-for-service basis. If one is satisfied with their plan then there is no need to change it. But in the situation where a person is buying an additional Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or he has chosen coverage through a private Medicare Advantage-managed care plan then it is important to pay attentions details as they can change time to time.

Changes may come in the form of premiums going up, drugs may be dropped from the menu and doctors may leave your network. Stephanie Hartell, Medicare coordinator at the Pima Council on Aging in Tucson, said that the decisions one take in open enrollment can affect a person for the complete year.

"In order to become a more informed consumer about Medicare and benefits changes in 2016, now is the time to sign up to take one of our workshops at different locations in Tucson, Oro Valley and Green Valley this month", affirmed Hartell.

"The decisions you make in open enrollment can impact you for the entire year," said Stephanie Hartell, Medicare coordinator at the Pima Council on Aging in Tucson.