Are you turning 65 this year and confused by your Medicare options? Or maybe you are already a Medicare beneficiary but are searching for a better deal? Where do you start?

"Few things are as important as your health and health care," says Dr. Terry Sullivan, medical director for Human's Central North Region. "Use this time to make sound choices and get a full understanding of your options. After all, this is an important decision that you are committing to for an entire year." Humana representatives will be available during this year's Seniors Spring Show (www.101expos.com), April 6-7, 2010 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, to provide information about Medicare options.

Those eligible for a new Medicare plan have an Initial Election Period in which to choose a health plan. That period includes three months prior to their birth month, their actual birth month and three months following their birth month. No matter which Medicare health plan you chose initially, you can switch annually to a different plan between November 15 and December 31. Also, from January 1 through March 31, you may make one change to your medical coverage. If you are satisfied with your existing coverage, you don't have to do anything. You will be automatically re-enrolled for the same plan.

Dr. Sullivan recommends five simple steps to selecting the best Medicare plan: Step One: Review your medical spending. Give yourself a "health care audit." Review your records and receipts to see how much you spent on health care. Don't forget to include charges from physicians, hospitals and pharmacies. They all count.

Step Two: Identify future health care needs. While you don't have a crystal ball, you can estimate what health care services you might need. Do you have a condition that requires ongoing care, will you need to stay on your current medications or need annual screenings? Then use online resources such as www.FamilyHealthBudget.com, a Humana-sponsored Website, to estimate your actual costs.

Step Three: Think about what you need from your Medicare plan. Now think about other things, including cost, benefits and networks. Here are some things to consider:

• Cost: How much will you pay for premiums, deductibles and copayments? Plans with lower premiums may have higher out-of-pocket expenses (the amount you pay when receiving care, such as copayments, deductibles and coinsurance). The inverse is also true: if you're paying a higher monthly premium, your out-of-pocket costs may be less.
• Benefits: Does the plan include prescription drug coverage? Does it include additional benefits, such as a gym membership?
• Doctor and hospital choice: Do the doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other providers you use accept the plan? A health maintenance organization (HMO) requires you to see doctors in its network, whereas a preferred provider organization (PPO) provides you with more flexibility, but potentially higher out-of-pocket costs. There are also private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans that provide even more freedom and flexibility, but you must make sure your physicians and hospitals accept the plan's terms and conditions.

Step Four: Explore your options. There are many resources that can help you understand all the plan options available:

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): All states have a SHIP that gives free local health insurance counseling. Contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433 or via e-mail at senior.linkage@state.mn.us.
• Medicare: www.medicare.gov enables you to find and compare Medicare prescription drug plans and health plans in your area. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• American Health Insurance Plan (AHIP): www.healthdecisions.org/guide, a resource from the health insurance industry trade group AHIP, offers an easy-to-use, interactive online publication.

Visit the Websites of the specific health plans and compare. Use tools like those available at www.humana-medicare.com/humana-medicare-drug-plan/medicare-rx.asp to compare plans, calculate prescription costs and learn about value-added wellness programs.

Step Five: Find out if you qualify for extra help. If you have limited resources, you may qualify for help paying for your Medicare health coverage. To find out if you qualify, contact your local Medicaid office or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. If you use a TTY, call 1-800-325-0778.

Benefiting underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer. Mid-America Events & Expos, producers of the Seniors Spring Show, is donating 50 percent of all ticket sales from its 2010 expos to Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, which will also be given a booth at each show.

Visit www.101expos.com to Shop at the Show before you go. Admission is $3 with the half price coupon available at www.101expos.com, and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. More information is on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

This year's Seniors Spring Show is made possible in part by 5 Eyewitness News, KSTC Channel 45, KLBB, Humana, Best of Times and CoroWise™ Brand Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer.

Media Note: For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220.