DOI OFFERS COUNSELING ON RX PROGRAM:

The North Dakota Insurance Department is assisting state Medicare recipients with counseling on choosing a prescription drug option, according to state officials.

The sign-up starts this month for the prescription drug benefit known as Medicare Part D.

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman said more than 100 volunteers are trained and available for counseling over the phone or in person. The counseling is offered through the federally-funded Senior Health Insurance Counseling program, officials said.

More than 100,000 North Dakotans are eligible for the new prescription drug benefit, and they also may be eligible for low-income help, according to the Associated Press.

The Senior Health counseling number can be reached at (888) 575-6611.