The federal health care reform law is beginning to affect Medicare. Under the Affordable Care Act, enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug plans, known as Part D, is earlier.
Medicare Health Insurance Specialist Catharine Wu says, in the past enrollment ran from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.
If seniors wish to change their medicare drug coverage plan, they must do that before Dec. 7 also.
Judith Bendersky with the state Medicare Information Office says there is now a federal program to help elders who are struggling to pay premiums or co-pays for drugs. More information is available at medicare.alaska.gov.
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Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
