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On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision on the challenges to the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act. Now it's your turn. Let us know your opinions of these local, state and national reactions to the high court's decision.

Seniors, Disabled People Can Get Free Help To Enroll In Medicare

Flickr user / Images Money "Healthcare Costs" (CC BY 2.0)

The Illinois Department on Aging says seniors and disabled people can get free help enrolling in Medicare now through early December.

Agency Director John Holton says deciding on coverage options can be overwhelming. Counselors from the agency's Senior Health Insurance Program can help beneficiaries and caregivers understand their options.

The program -- known as SHIP -- is a free statewide health insurance counseling service. SHIP counselors can explain drug, health and supplemental plans available during the annual open enrollment period. That period started Wednesday and ends December 7.

U.S. Medicare enrollment will overlap with the open enrollment period for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act this year. Medicare now covers certain cancer early-detection screening services, such as mammograms or colonoscopies, through Obamacare.

The Medicare open enrollment is not the same as the open enrollment for uninsured people to sign up for coverage on the Illinois marketplace. The Get Covered Illinois enrollment starts next month.

To contact SHIP with any questions about Medicare, call 800-252-8966 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

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