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Medicare open enrollment period begins

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Medicare's annual open enrollment period started this week, offering seniors the chance to change parts of their plans, if needed.

Seniors may want to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, pick up a new prescription drug plan, switch among providers, or drop medicare prescription coverage.

"There is a host of different plans, and that's why AARP Florida encourages seniors to do their homework and to avail themselves of people in the community that can guide them," said Yolanda Rodriguez, the manager of state operations for AARP Florida.

Florida's Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders program provides 450 volunteers across the state to assist in Medicare decisions. According to the AARP, 3.3 million Florida seniors are enrolled in Medicare.

Medicare premiums are the same for people of all ages, and the plans do not drop people for pre-existing conditions, lifetime annual caps or maximum lifetime benefits.

The open enrollment period will last until Dec. 7.

Sara Drumm edited this story online.

Jane is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.