It is Medicare open enrollment time again — 2020 version

You know it is fall when you find Pumpkin Spice dog food and Pumpkin Spice Cheerios in the supermarket and then when you return home you open your mail to a new batch of solicitations for Medicare Advantage insurance plans.

Yes, it is Medicare Open Enrollment time again — time to review the kinds of health insurance available to you if you are age 65 or over. The problem is, with all the glossy brochures it is very difficult to discover what the plans offer. It can even be difficult to determine whether you need to act at all. Here are some early tips. 1. Can I skip reviewing my plan or do I need to take action now? If you currently have a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plan — the type of plan that consists of Medicare plus additional coverage for copays, deductibles and so forth — and you are happy with it now, you are not subject to the open enrollment period and you probably do not need to act now. You might consider reviewing your Medicare D prescription coverage which is separate.

2. When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2020 coverage? Medicare Open Enrollment for 2020 for Medicare Advantage Plans and for Medicare Part D prescription plans runs from Oct. 15, 2019 to Dec. 7, 2019 to begin coverage Jan. 1, 2020.

Also, if you are just becoming eligible for Medicare (such as just turning age 65), you can sign up as soon as you become eligible, regardless of the month, and can choose whether you want a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan.

3. I have an employer plan that covers me for everything. Do I need to sign up under open enrollment? If you are 65 or over and have a qualified employer health insurance plan especially working for a larger employer, you probably do not need to be concerned. If not certain of your status, check with your HR Department.

4. What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan? Medicare Advantage includes Medicare HMO and PPO, PFFS and others. Each year, if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare D prescription drug plan, you can change your enrollment to another Medicare Advantage or Medicare D plan between Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, and effective the following year, if you think that another Medicare Advantage or Medicare D plan might work better for you.

If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you do not need to be concerned about open enrollment unless you want to change to a Medicare Advantage or change or add your Medicare D (prescription drug) coverage.

5. Do I need to do anything