But time is running out.

The deadline for applying is March 31. If you miss the deadline, you will have to wait until 2009 to apply.

Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses that aren't covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). Those expenses include doctors' fees, outpatient hospital visits and other medical supplies and services.

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have a seven-month period (your initial enrollment period) in which to sign up for medical insurance (Part B).

After that, you have to pay a higher premium -- unless you were covered through an employer's group health plan or a group health plan based on a spouse's employment.

You are given another opportunity to enroll in Part B during the general enrollment period, from Jan. 1 to March 31 of each year. But each 12-month period that you are eligible for Medicare Part B and do not sign up, the amount of your monthly premium increases by 10 percent.

Mary Miller is district manager for the Social Security office in Grand Island. For more information on Medicare, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov.