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Seniors To Experience Major Changes With Medicare Changes

Major changes are in the works to the Illinois Medicare system.

Starting July 1st, the state of Illinois will eliminate the Illinois Cares RX program. According to SHIP Outreach Coordinator Bryan Padget, this will cause a lot of strife for senior citizens on Medicare, since Illinois Cares Rx cut the cost on most of their benefactors needs.

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Padget says people on the Illinois Cares Rx program can change programs, which he feels is a great opportunity for those on Illinois Cares Rx to look and see what other plans have to offer. Although he wasn't able to give an exact date, Padget feels the window to change programs will close in August.  

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Padget adds over 165-thousand people across the state of Illinois are affected by the elimination of Illinois Cares Rx. While other programs do not have a limit to the number of applicants they can take, he encourages seniors to begin exploring their options and deciding on a new plan right away.

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Senior Citizens do not need to worry about losing their Circuit Breaker benefits, such as tax reforms and lower licenses plate fees. The state will send out a letter explaining all the changes being made. Padget adds any senior citizen entity will help explain all the changes being made and how it affects them.

In order to change programs, DeWitt County senior citizens should contact the Friendship Center at 217-935-9411. For those outside the county who do not know who to contact to make the changes, they should contact SHIP at 1-800-548-9034, and they will help direct you to the appropriate entity.

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