(StatePoint) For the millions of Americans aged 65 and older, Medicare is a critical source of health care. And during the Medicare Annual Election Period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, those eligible can select or make changes to their plans for 2019. Experts say that this selection is vitally important and should be done with care.

“It’s a good idea to go shopping for potential plans and consider each element of them,” says Brian Evanko, who leads Cigna’s government programs, including Cigna-HealthSpring, which is a supplier of Medicare Advantage products. “Your goal should be to choose a plan that strikes the right balance between the benefits you’ll need and what you can afford.”

To help you choose a plan and get the most from it, consider these tips from the experts at Cigna-HealthSpring:

This Annual Election Period, consider your personal health circumstances and budget needs carefully. The right plan will help you maximize your physical and financial wellbeing, ensuring you have affordable access to the benefits you need all year long.