The Medicare Rights Center is urging Medicare enrollees to educate themselves about their choices for Medicare private health plans, before the upcoming six-week period in which they can join a private plan for the first time or change to a new plan.

That period runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.

The center, an independent advocacy group with offices in New York City, reminds enrollees that most private plans will change their costs and benefits in 2008.

The center can answer questions through its hotline at (800) 333-4114, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, weekdays.

NYSUT has a contract with the Medicare Rights Center, a national non-profit consumer service group, to provide union members with advice about Medicare issues.

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin serves on the Medicare Rights Center's board of directors.

The wide range of options can be confusing, especially to a first-time enrollee, said Robert Hayes, the center's president.

Hayes noted that a private Medicare plan that worked well for someone this year could be much more costly and offer different health benefits next year.

"Our free resources will guide you through the decision-making process step by step in consumer-friendly language," Hayes said.

Among the questions the Medicare Rights Center advises enrollees to ask when reviewing Medicare private health plans:

• Will I be able to use my current doctors?

• Do I have to pay a plan premium?

• If I already have retiree health coverage and I join a Medicare private plan, will I still be able to keep my retiree coverage?

For details, go to: www.medicareinteractive.org/teachers.