Starting Friday, the Government's new policy regarding the Medicare prescriptions coverage for senior citizens is all set to come into effect, and Barnstable Senior Services worker Judy Redd has already told the pharmacy she deals with to brace itself to combat with all the elderly who would be shocked by deductibles which could go up-to $310 for each prescription.

Senior population of the country which is on the stand-alone Medicare plan for drugs, also called PDP, stand to face an increase in premiums, deductibles and gap coverage starting next year. Additionally, a state plan to help the elderly cover cost has been axed.

"Even pharmacists don't realize the changes that are coming up", Ms. Redd said.

Seniors in Massachusetts can pick from among as many as 48 Medicare drug plans, as has been confirmed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The elderly population now has until tomorrow to either drop, add to change their drug plans.

As confirmed by Claudia Borden, outreach coordinator for the town's senior services, while many seniors have consulted the Medicare counselors to discuses new plans, many don't even know that they are going to face increases.

"They don't understand it, but they are being asked to re-assess it every year. They want to stay with one company. They want to be able to trust them", they said.