EPIC--the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program--is being changed because fo cuts to the NY stage budget.

Sharon Arliss, who coordinates Cayuga County's Office for the Aging, says starting in July, the deductible credit (up to $464) that was applied annually  to offset Medicare premiums will be eliminated, and everyone who has Part D Medicare will see their deductible raised.  If seniors met their EPIC deductible before July 1st, they'll have to pay another $464 before resuming EPIC co-payments.

Arliss says changes for next year are still being worked out.   EPIC members affected by the changes are being notified, and there's also an EPIC toll-free helpline at 800-332-3742.

Cayuga County is also doing information sessions on Wednesday:
10am:  Port Byron Senior Center
Noon:   Auburn's Cayuga County Natural Resouce Center
2:30:    Moravia: St Matthew's Episcopal
All sessions are free but they ask you to pre-register at 253-1226.