Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Many of the millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare could face unpleasant surprises at the start of next year.

Reports of significant problems with the official Medicare website have been surfacing and there is growing concern that people signing up for coverage to supplement their Medicare benefits may be receiving inaccurate information. Chad Wojchik with the Senior Linkage Line operated by the Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA) says the federal agency launched a new website just two weeks before the beginning of this year’s open enrollment period and it quickly became apparent there were problems that have yet to be addressed.

Wojchik says that means some Medicare recipients may be signing up for coverage that does not meet their needs based on erroneous information, particularly concerning the prices and coverage for medications. Wojchik says it’s an issue that has not attracted a great deal of attention yet and he’s hoping people will contact their representatives in Congress to voice their concerns and push for an extension of the open enrollment process until Medicare fixes its website.

He joined Andy Brownell and James Rabe on the Rochester Today Show Friday morning on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM to talk about the situation.

Help in finding a Medicare plan is available through the Senior Linkage Line (1-800-333-2433) on weekdays from 8 AM through 4:30 PM but Wojchik notes wait times have been growing due to the extra work required to verify if the information provided through the Medicare website is correct.

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