Is this your year to go on Medicare? There is a lot of new information to learn. Medicare has its own vocabulary, rules and deadlines.

Come to the Community Room at the Orcas Island Public Library on Tuesday, May 28, at 10 a.m. to learn how Medicare works, what your coverage options are in San Juan County and when you must act to avoid penalties.

This is a free public presentation made by trained volunteers from the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors. SHIBA is a program of the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner to provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling assistance on Orcas Island.

There are many new terms for you to understand and several options to choose from. Medicare has four different parts: A, B, C and D. You can stay with Original Medicare (parts A and B) or buy a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap), which is private insurance that works with parts A and B. Most people also buy Drug Insurance (Part D).

There are deadlines to meet and penalties (some lasting a lifetime) for not doing things at the right time.

Resources are available to help people with very low income and limited assets pay their Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles.

Call the local SHIBA office at 360-376-5892 to schedule your free personal, confidential, unbiased counseling session. Island Hospital has been the local sponsor of the SHIBA volunteers in San Juan County for the past 25 years.