Several important changes relating to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage will start taking place this October.

Most important are the new dates for the Part D “Open Enrollment Period.” The new dates are Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. This is the time when individuals can change Part D plans for 2012, enroll in a Part D plan or drop coverage. Choices made during the open enrollment will go into effect Jan. 1, 2012.

“This is a change from past years when the open enrollment was November 15 through December 31,” said Kris Gross from the state of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). “We’re asking everyone to remind family, friends and neighbors that the dates for changing have moved up a month. We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to make their choice of plans for 2012.”