Medicare Annual Enrollment is here, now through December 7. It’s an opportunity to enroll or make changes to your Medicare health plan to ensure you’re getting the coverage you need. “This is the best time for our people who are already in a Medicare plan, or they’d like to enroll, to take advantage of this time, take the time they need and enroll in the best plan that fits for them,” said Solmaz Mohaddes, nurse practitioner, Optum Washington. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when shopping for coverage, so you should know about the options available to you and what different Medicare plans can offer. Medicare has 4 parts: A, B, C and D. Part A is part of Original Medicare offered by the federal government. It helps pay for hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care and hospice care. Part B is also part of Original Medicare offered by the federal government, and it helps pay for doctor visits, preventive services, X-rays and other tests. Part C is a combination of Parts A and B. It’s also known as Medicare Advantage and is offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage often comes with drug coverage and dental and vision care. Part D helps with the cost of prescription drugs. Mohaddes says you should consider what your needs are when choosing coverage, including what medications you take regularly and how much those cost. “Choosing the best plan that can cover the cost of your medications can really help down the road,” Mohaddes said. Optum Care Washington offers a full range of primary and preventive care services. You can access care at more than 50 locations, including primary and specialty care clinics, as well as walk-in and urgent clinics. “Many of our providers offer video visits, so it’s saving time,” Mohaddes said. “You can get online access easily.” Starting now and avoiding waiting until the last minute to select your coverage can help you make the best choice. You can assess your health care needs, learn about available health plan options and get ready to enroll in the optimal health plan. If you have questions about Medicare and annual open enrollment, call 425-317-3699 to speak with a local licensed insurance agent. These agents understand all things Medicare and can simplify the complex world of Medicare for you to help you avoid costly mistakes when selecting coverage. Optum Care Washington is holding a special event with tons of Medicare plan information and resources on November 9th at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center at 9 a.m. Sponsored by Optum Care Washington Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.