Learn about the 2011 Medicare Open Enrollment Period: Get a Plan that Meets Your Needs

2011 Medicare Open Enrollment Period: Get a Plan that Meets Your Needs. Sometimes though you try to keep things the same, things change. What you need in a Medicare coverage plan may also change. Every year seniors and those with disabilities have the opportunity to choose a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to better meet their needs. Its called the open enrollment period. This year Medicare's open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. You'll have a range of options to suit your coverage needs. Good choices. Improved benefits. Here's how: 1. Determine your eligibility for Medicare Part D. (Medicare Part D is a collection of prescription drug plans.) 2. Find a plan that covers your medicines. (You can log onto Medicare.gov and use helpful tools such as the Medicare Plan Finder.) 3. Pick a plan. (The medicines you need + affordability = the best plan that's best for you.) 4. Join a plan. (You can also enroll by calling the individual plan or by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE [1-800-633-4273].) The plan you choose begins on January 1st, 2012. Make sure your Medicare prescription drug plan meets your needs.