Medicare 101: what to know before the December 7 enrollment deadline

For many folks, turning 65 has become a sort of passage.
It's the retirement age and it's when you can sign up for Medicare.
Representatives from BOST Benefits, which has several Valley locations, have been helping folks be as informed as possible when it comes time to sign up.
They say it's critical to always re-evaluate to make sure your plan is the best fit.
"If they're already on a plan, it's really important to meet with an adviser to go over prescriptions," says Laurie Ault, an advisor with BOST. "As tiers change, carriers coverage changes year to year."
If you're eligible to sign up and haven't, you'd best hop to it.
The deadline for this open enrollment period is December 7.
You can enroll three months before you turn 65, the month of your birthday, and three months after.
"You're probably seeing a lot of ads right now on TV...it's always good to be able to talk with someone specifically about your situation, someone who knows your plans in your state," Ault said.
BOST has offices in Boardman and New Castle, but you can find advisers in each state with a simple Google search.
They can consult with you either in-person or through video.