"A: Medicare Advantage plans are another way of getting your Medicare benefits. These are Medicare managed health care plans offered by private companies under contract with Medicare."

" Yes, you can still join a Medicare Advantage plan. However, your enrollment period will depend on when your Medicare coverage began."

" If you are new to Medicare, you will be in your initial enrollment period. This is a 7-month enrollment period that begins 3 months before you become eligible for Medicare and ends 3 months after the month you are eligible for Medicare. For example, Jean will be turning 65 in July,"

" and will be eligible for Medicare coverage July 1. Her initial enrollment period will begin April 1 and will end Oct. 31."

" If you are no longer in your initial enrollment period, you will be able to join a MA plan during the annual open enrollment period. This open enrollment period runs between Jan. 1 and March 31 each year. You may join or switch plans at this time; however, your choice of plans will be limited based on your prescription drug coverage. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, you will not be able to add or drop drug coverage."

" If you have drug coverage through a MA plan or a Medicare prescription Drug plan, you can only join a MA plan that offers drug coverage. If you have no drug coverage, you will only be able to join a MA plan that does not offer drug coverage. For more information, contact your local SHIP site or call our toll free number 1-800-452-4800."

"March is Colorectal Cancer Awarness month. Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. For 2007, the American
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