FARGO — This year’s open enrollment period for seniors covered by Medicare Advantage plans is causing turmoil for those whose plans are being discontinued — and failure to choose a replacement plan can result in a loss of coverage.

Faced with skyrocketing claims costs, many health insurers are eliminating some of their Medicare Advantage plans. Those affected must select a new health insurance plan during the annual open enrollment period, which started Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Those covered by Medicare supplement plans, commonly called Medigap, are not affected by the Medicare Advantage plan changes.

With about 147,000 North Dakota residents on Medicare, the widespread reshuffling of Medicare Advantage plans will affect many seniors, and Michelle Kommer, president of HighRoad Partners

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