This Friday is the deadline for people with Medicare to make changes to change their health and drug coverage.
If you have original Medicare, your benefits are administered by the federal government. If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan is run by a private insurance company. Now is the time when you can switch to Medicare Advantage, if you wish.
On the other hand, if you want to drop your Medicare Advantage plan and switch to original Medicare, that opportunity runs from January 1 through February 14.
This Friday's deadline also covers anyone on original Medicare who wants to change their Part D prescription drug coverage. If you're satisfied with your current coverage, you don't have to change anything.
However, the drugs covered by the various plans may change from year to year, so it's always a good idea to check. You'll be stuck with whatever you choose--or don't choose--for all of 2013.