Grant will fund Medicare counseling

Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the Missouri Department of Insurance has received double the assistance it usually receives annually from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The grant will fund the Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri program and its work to educate Missouri senior citizens on Medicare Part D prescription coverage, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Counselors will conduct seminars throughout the state and counsel people who are determining which Part D plan is right for them

The state also has contributed $200,000 toward the CLAIM program this fiscal year. CLAIM began 10 years ago and has assisted an estimated 100,000 Missourians.