HERMISTON — Medicare open enrollment starts Thursday, Oct. 15, and Good Shepherd Health Care System is offering area residents free help in finding the right plan.

Jessica Reker, director of education for Good Shepherd, said the hospital won’t be able to offer its usual Medicare events because of COVID-19, but people can sign up for one-on-one appointments in person, over the phone or via video chat through Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance.

Trained counselors can help people sign up for Medicare for the first time or check to see if they would benefit from any changes to the coverage they have.

“We recommend almost everyone at least see what options they have available,” she said.

The open enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, is the only time of the year people can make changes to their coverage. Darla Irwin, senior services coordinator for Good Shepherd, said every year new plans come on the market, coverage and pricing for existing plans changes, and patients often have changes in their medications that might be better covered under a different plan.

This year, for example, the federal government is rolling out changes to Medicare to offer more affordable options for people on insulin. And Eastern Oregon residents will have a new Medicare Advantage option through Summit Health, which was recently formed by several hospitals in the region.

“This is a good time to check what’s new,” Irwin said. “I know a couple of the new plans available this year are a little cheaper.”

To get help figuring out what coverage works best for them, patients can call the hospital’s education department at 541-667-3509 to schedule an appointment.

“If someone does not want to come into the office, they can do it virtually or by phone,” Reker said. “We will mail them everything they need.”

For their appointment, patients should have their Medicare card and a list of their current medications with them. If they have letters from the Social Security office or Department of Human Services regarding their coverage, those are helpful as well. It will also save time if they have already created a login for www.medicare.gov and have their password and user name ready, but counselors can assist with that if needed.

Reker said they expect a rush of appointment-making near the end of the open enrollment period, and recommended that people make their appointment soon to avoid a backlog.

For people who wish to sign up for Medicare on their own or want to be better prepared for their appointment with a counselor, a “Medicare 101” video is available on the Good Shepherd Health Care System YouTube page at youtube.com/watch?v=giwh0C-zIsc.