Now is the time for Medicare enrollees to consider their current coverage, shop around and make any necessary changes to ensure that they have the best health and prescription drug coverage available to fit their health and budget needs in the year ahead.

Whether you’re now enrolled in traditional Medicare with Parts A and B and Part D prescription drug coverage or currently hold a Medicare Advantage Plan, also known as Part C, the annual Open Enrollment period — this year Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 — offers Medicare recipients the opportunity to make a change as necessary.

For Medicare-eligible residents of South Hampton Roads or Western Tidewater, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia’s Medicare counselors are available to help free of charge. Certified by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, SSSEVA’s benefits counselors help individuals navigate the plan options available in the local marketplace, explain the differences between each and help shoppers determine their best choices — whether to stay in one’s current plan if it is the best fit, or to enroll for the coming year in a new plan with better coverage, higher quality and potentially a lower cost.

Appointments are necessary, and the deadline to enroll is Dec. 7. Suffolk residents can make an appointment for help from Senior Services by calling 925-4255.