We are in the window for signing up for next year's Medicare, and it's not only new enrolees, but also seniors already in the program that need to take a look. If you're 65 or over, you're eligible. 

The time to sign up is shorter this year: mid-November til the end of December.  There's no January opportunity. If you're just turning 65, though, you have the 3 months before your birth month, your birth month, and the three months after to sign up.

Debbie McKee, with UnitedHealthcare, says the timing is tough because its holiday time:  some seniors use family get-togethers to talk about options and to get younger family members to help. But for many it's just to stressful, especially if they're going away for the holidays. And, it's hard on seniors, many of whom have not had to negotiate healthcare before, because it was all taken care of in at-work insurance.

There is help:   the federal Medicare site, or  800-633-4227can help find all the programs available.  Scott Averill, with Fidelis Care New York, says this is especially helpful for family members caring for seniors outside their own communities.  Many Medicare providers, including Fidelis (800 860-8707) and United Healthcare  and local government Departments of Aging have information sessions, on a daily basis, for face-to-face information.  Averill  says staffers work hard to 'translate' healthcare jargon into English.

Among points to look for when comparing plans to decide the best:
>Is your doctor in the plan network, and how much more would it cost to keep going to him/her if not?
>What preventive screenings and extra benefits are covered?
>What prescription drugs are covered, and especially, is something you use regularly covered?
>Check premium costs, co-pays and drug costs

As senior Anne Marie Valerino told us, 'it kinda confuses you, and there's a lot of paperwork.'
But, the advice from our healthcare experts:
>Get the choices made early, because a lot of people will be making changes, and the longer you wait the less likely you'll have your new id card by the beginning of 2011, when it goes into effect.
>Do this every year, because medicare changes every year and it's to your advantage.