ENROLLMENT FOR THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM FOR NEXT YEAR BEGINS ON SATURDAY.  NORTH DAKOTA SENIORS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THEIR INSURANCE PLANS, BECAUSE MANY PROVIDERS PLAN TO RAISE RATES TO COVER THE SPIKE IN DRUG COSTS.  ACCORDING TO A PRIVATE CONSULTING GROUP MONTHLY PREMIUMS IN THE DRUG ONLY PLANS WILL GO FROM AN AVERAGE OF $26.03 IN 2006 TO $37.10 NEXT YEAR. 

 THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD BECOMES NOVEMBER 15^TH AND RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER 31^ST. THE ND STATE HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING PROGRAM HAS SCHEDULED 9 MEDICARE PART D EVENTS AROUND THE STATE BEGINNING NEXT MONDAY TO HELP NORTH DAKOTANS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COVERAGE.