Missouri residents on Medicare have until Tuesday December 7 to sign up during open enrollment. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

According to 2018 data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 1.2 million out of nearly 6 million Missouri residents were enrolled in Medicare. Another 960,000 residents were enrolled in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage and spending. Open enrollment for Medicare, the federal health insurance program that covers people age 65 and older and younger adults with long-term disabilities closes next Tuesday. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance is urging residents who have not made plans selections for next year to do so now.

CLAIM, Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides free and unbiased help from certified counselors. Consumers can arrange one-on-one phone counseling by calling 800-390-3330 or visiting missouriclaim.org. New Medicare health plans go into effect on Wednesday January 1, 2022. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro