Medicare deadline looms

Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period. Seniors who haven't yet enrolled have until midnight Monday. If they don't, they'll have to pay an additional fee for missing the federal deadline. Seniors who are happy with their current plan don't have to do anything to continue with it. The governor's office says seniors also should apply for Illinois Cares Rx, which provides wraparound prescription drug coverage to fill in the gaps created by Medicare Part D. Anyone with questions about Medicare Part D or Illinois Cares Rx can call Illinois' Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 (TTY 888-206-1327).