Each year, Medicare patients have only one opportunity to change their Medicare supplemental insurance. That opportunity ends Friday, December 7, 2012.

Medicare beneficiaries whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Sandy will be allowed to sign up for Medicare health and drug plans after the open enrollment deadline of Dec. 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced.

If you don't plan to change your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D drug plan for 2013, you don't have to worry about the deadline at all as you will be automatically re-enrolled in you current plan.

• Review all letters and notices from your current plan. Costs and coverage can change every year.

• Make a list of current prescription drugs and dosages. Then, use the plan finder at Medicare.govto compare Part D plans.

• Review the 2013 "Medicare & You" handbook.

• If you have questions, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) before signing up.