Of a certain age...

The harbingers of fall, and of the approaching winter, are many and varied. Jack Frost's paintbrush artfully colors the countryside with flares of red and splashes of yellow, reminding us of the glory of nature before the descent of leaves and winter hibernation.

Weekends are filled with high school and college football games, pitting gridiron warriors against one another as crowded grandstands erupt in loyal support.

The local deer forage on anything left in my already decimated garden and the bucks begin to round up their chosen does, as this year's fawns become more self-sufficient.

Outside hoses need to be stored, irrigation pipes blown out, and the pine needles removed from the roof and gutters one more time in preparation for the coming rain and snow.

Much less nostalgic or awe-inspiring is the arrival every day in the mailbox of offers for Medicare health plans and Part D prescription programs. Since passing 65 a few years ago, each fall brings the open enrollment period for Medicare.

From October 15 to December 7, those of us of a certain age have the opportunity to review our current health care coverage, compare it to other plans, and decide if it is meeting our current needs or if we need to consider other plans or additional coverage.

For many, this yearly fall ritual can be a daunting chore, but one that is important to address. Let's face it; unless you are pretty computer-literate, comparing plans is not easy. For those who know their way around a computer, the government Medicare website (www.medicare.gov) makes it fairly simple to compare plans and choose the one best for your situation. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you just can't face doing it alone, there is a state organization that provides excellent free assistance in selecting the appropriate health care coverage for you - Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program - SHIBA. Visit SHIBA's website (www.oregon

shiba.org) for information. Volunteers offer one-on-one counseling at community centers or in private homes.

In Deschutes County, contact the Central Oregon Council on Aging at 541-678-5483 or 877-704-4567 toll-free for appointments. There is also a 2013 Medicare Guide to Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans available online at their website.

Rotator cuff surgery and follow-up physical therapy last winter made me very happy to have Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Medigap or supplemental coverage (which paid deductibles and my 20% of Medicare approved charges). Every time I pick up prescriptions I am thankful for my Part D (prescription coverage) plan. The total costs of all my prescriptions are covered, except for one

copay.

At this time of the year, and again at tax time, I am made painfully aware that my single biggest expense every year is the total of insurance premiums I pay for health, prescriptions, long-term care, AFLAC cancer policy (my family's major illness), homeowner's, flood, and auto insurance. Sounds like I am covered for every eventuality, but I also know that it only takes one disaster, bad turn of luck, or illness/accident, and I would be in serious financial straits.

So, get out your Medicare plan information and set aside the time to do a check-up of your health care and prescription drug coverage. Make any adjustments that are needed and then relax knowing you've done the responsible thing for another year.