Seniors In Oklahoma, Nationwide Face Important Medicare Deadline

Senior citizens have about two weeks to enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Medicare Part D allows seniors to pay a monthly fee and buy pricey medications for just a few dollars.

This year, the enrollment period has been much longer than in the past, but the deadline has also been moved up.

Cindy Loftin with LIFE Senior Services has been educating Tulsa seniors about their options, and making sure they know about the deadline. Instead of having until the end of the year, seniors have until December 7 to sign up for a new plan or change their current plan.

"The Medicare drug plans change every single year. The premiums change, whether or not they have a deductible changes."

Last year, more than a third of seniors waited until the last three weeks of December to make a decision about their Medicare plan. Loftin says if they do that this year, they'll be out of luck.

"They can't become complacent because if they don't do anything, they'll just roll over into that same plan next year. But unfortunately, that plan may change dramatically."

LIFE Senior Services says most seniors save an average of $1,200 a year if they have the right Part D plan.

LIFE Senior Services offers in-person and telephone appointments to help seniors cut through the red tape. Their phone number is (918) 664-9000. If seniors miss the deadline, they must pay late fees.