It is not just your body that needs an annual check-up. Your Medicare coverage also needs to be reviewed each year to see if it still fits you. Each year between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 you are given a chance to review your Medicare drug and Medicare Advantage plans to see if they still work for you. There are many reasons why last year’s plan may not work for the next year:

• Your health may have changed.

• The prescription drugs you take may have changed.

• Your plan may no longer cover one or more of your medicines.

• Your plan may have changed the drugs that it covers.

• Your plan may increase the price for your drugs next year.

Failing to review your plan each year could mean that you are paying more than you need to. Save that money for yourself instead of sending it to the insurance companies. SHIBA volunteers help island residents save money – as much as $2,000 a year in one case.

This year, SHIBA volunteers will be holding 4 drop-in clinics at the Orcas Public library. Bring a list of the prescription medicines you take, including the dosage for each, and our volunteers will show you how much you are likely to pay for drugs and insurance in 2019 and help you sign up for a new plan if needed.

The clinics will be held from 1-4 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 16, Nov. 30

SHIBA, the Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisers, is operated under the auspices of the Washington Department of Insurance. Volunteers provide free, confidential, unbiased Medicare insurance assistance