Ask your medical providers:

If they'll take the Medicare Advantage plan.

Ask the plan if:

It requires a referral to see a specialist.

You live in another state part of the year, will it still cover you.

• Many plans require you to use regular services within the service area (except for emergency care), which is usually the county you live in.

You'll have:

• Monthly premiums
• Any copayments for various services
• Any out-of-pocket limits
• Costs to use non-network providers

You can keep your stand-alone Medicare Part D plan and the Medicare Advantage plan.

Later on, if you aren't satisfied with the coverage, when you can switch plans.

If you have Medicaid, find out if the:

Plan's in-network providers you use are certified to take Medicaid (www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov).

In-network providers bill the plan correctly and/or refer to Medicaid providers as needed.

Providers' office knows what Medicaid covers and what the plan covers.

Medicare open enrollment dates: October 15 - December 7

Updated 01/18/2013