Mark your calendar for Medicare open enrollment

Mark this on your calendar: Oct. 15. That's the date that Medicare Open Enrollment begins, the period when you can make changes to your health and drug coverage. It runs through Dec. 7.

It's during this period that you'll need to take a hard look at how well your plan has served you so far this year. If you decide that all is well, do nothing, whether you have the Original or an Advantage plan. Your current plan will roll over into 2016 when the new coverage starts Jan. 1. Consider your drugs. If you're on a new one and will likely stay on it, see whether your drug plan covers it. If not, you might look at other plans.

Changing your mind: If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to your original Medicare between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14. If you decide to switch back, you also can add a drug plan at that time.

You can sign up on the phone (call the new plan or Medicare, if you're making a change) or online.

Medicare.gov has a section on signing up, and it can answer hundreds of questions, such as: I'm still working at age 65, with company insurance. If I don't sign up now for Part B, will I have to pay a penalty later? Can I have Medicare and Marketplace coverage at the same time?

You also can find information on coverage for procedures, claims and appeals, plus doctors and plans in your area. Or you can call 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). It's staffed 24 hours a day, including weekends. For plan help, ask Medicare for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in your state, or see shiptacenter.org.

(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.