Nov 19, 2012 2 min read

Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period, which enables individuals with Medicare Part A and B to join, change or drop their Medicare Advantage plans, will continue through Dec. 7.

After Dec. 7, individuals are only permitted to make changes to health and/or drug plans if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Among the conditions that qualify an individual for a Special Enrollment Period are:

n 65th birthday;

n Relocation to a new coverage area;

n Certain chronic medical conditions;

n Dual eligibility (enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid) or low-income subsidy/Extra Help enrollment.

The following enrollment centers have been asked by Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging to assist individuals with comparisons of various insurance options to help Medicare beneficiaries make health insurance choices that best suit their needs:

n Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Inc., 137 N. Beeson Ave., Suite 107, Uniontown, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 724-430-4603.

n State Rep. Tim Mahoney’s office, 1402 Memorial Drive, Connellsville, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays. Call 724-626-1164.

n Community Action Southwest, 58 E. Greene St., Waynesburg, through Dec. 7. Call 724-852-2893, ext. 541.

n Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Inc., 150 W. Beau St., Suite 216, Washington, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 724-228-7080.

n Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Inc., 305 Chamber Plaza, Charleroi, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 724-489-8080 or 888-300-2704, ext. 4488.

Appointments are required, and applicants must bring a Medicare card, insurance cards, the name, address and telephone number of their pharmacy and a list of their prescriptions, including the dosage and frequency taken.