People who are eligible for Medicare may be able to receive prescription drug benefits under a new federal program called Medicare Part D, the state Department of Human Services said.

The program took effect Sunday. For all people except those with very low incomes, Part D splits the annual cost of medicine between the individual and Medicare.

Individuals pay the first $250. Medicare pays 75 percent of the cost from $251 to $2,250.

For information about the program and for help in choosing a plan, the state suggests people call The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at (800) 633-4227 or Sage Plus at 586-7299 on O'ahu and (888) 875-9229 on the Neighbor Islands.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i is also helping the state by operating Medicaid hot lines at the following numbers: 536-4302 on O'ahu, 934-0678 in Hilo, 329-8331 in Kona, 245-7580 on Kaua'i, 242-0724 on Maui, 553-3251 on Moloka'i and 565-6089 on Lana'i.

The Department of Human Services has also launched its new State Pharmacy Assistance Program to help low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities pay the co-payments for prescription drugs under the Medicare Part D program.

For information on that program, call 692-7999 on O'ahu or (866) 878-9769 on the Neighbor Islands.