OHIO — The open enrollment period for healthcare plans through Medicare and the Affordable Care Act means many people will soon be sorting through the healthcare maze.

Open enrollment is ending soon for healthcare plans through Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, so many people have been spending time online checking out their options. 

It can be overwhelming, but healthcare professionals like Larry Riddell are here to help.

He's a northeast Ohio broker who helps people navigate this system.

"If and when you find out what that information is, give me a call, and I can help guide you on where we need to go and what we need to do," Riddell said.

Open enrollment is ending in less than a month, so people have been busy looking for options and for people who can help them. and Riddell has been busy helping people navigate this Medicare maze of information.

He said he's been getting phone calls daily in what is the busiest time of year for healthcare brokers and agents.

Riddell said there are plenty of questions from people stressing about choosing the right direction for their health care needs.

"Medicare can be very confusing," he said. "It can be very daunting: Medicare A, Medicare B, prescription drug coverage and penalties. What I want to do is educate people, to tell them what their options are and let them make the best decision based on what fits their situation the best."

Riddell has been counseling people as a healthcare broker and agent for more than a decade.

He said he enjoys helping people and their families make the correct choice for them.

"The people in this market, they don't know for sure what they are getting into," he said. "They want to make sure they are making the right decision and I take great pride in helping them through this process."

The deadline for enrolling in Medicare is Dec. 7, to be covered in 2022 and the deadline for registering in ACA plans is Jan. 15.