Shoshone, Idaho (KMVT-TV) Humana is discontinuing their Medicare coverage in seven out of the eight counties in Magic Valley. If you're a senior citizen, you've probably already gotten a letter telling you that. So now is the time to replace your Humana drug and Advantage plans.

Nora Wells, SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator, says, "Unless they're in Jerome County. Humana is continuing their service in Jerome, but they have chosen to pull out of the other counties of South Central Idaho."

Wells says before December 7th, seniors need to talk to their insurance agent if they have one, or they can call their local SHIBA office to make an appointment. Those are scattered throughout the eight counties of Magic Valley.

Wells says, "We have SelectHealth, which is brand new. We have PacificSource, this is its second year of being offered in the area. We have, in some areas, United Healthcare, the Blue Cross, the True Blues, the Secure Blues, so there is a good choice out there."

Wells says seniors can visit their local SHIBA office to get free and unbiased help in finding which Medicare Advantage plan will work best for them in the coming year. She says if you have lower income and assets, you may qualify for extra help through Social Security or Medicaid.

Wells says, "It behooves everyone on Medicare that has a drug plan or an Advantage plan, to get with a counselor and check their plan to see what changes it's going to make for next year. Is the premium going up? Are the drugs going to be covered? Is there a deductible this year where there wasn't last year?"

Oct. 22, 2012.