By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

In effort to remind older residents about the approaching deadline to change Medicare plans, state Rep. Frank Mautino is encouraging residents who feel their Medicare coverage is not meeting their needs to review their options by Monday, Dec. 7 and make desired changes.

Medicare recipients can only make changes to their plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which ends Monday, Dec. 7. Individuals receiving Medicare can change to a Medicare Advantage Plan as well as add supplemental insurance which covers prescription drugs. Individuals who are satisfied with their current Medicare coverage do not need to take any action. To compare plans, residents can go to www.medicare.gov to see a list of plans and make comparisons based on providers available in their community. Questions about coverage options can be answered 24/7 by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).