PIERRE, S.D. — The Medicare Bus Tour across America is well underway and its next stop is South Dakota during the week of July 2, 2007. The bus stops in four South Dakota communities starting on July 2 in Watertown, then to Flandreau, Sioux Falls and last is Pierre on July 4, 2007.

The purpose of the bus tour is to focus on the recent initiative, A Healthier US Starts Here, motivating seniors and others with Medicare to make the most of the preventative services Medicare has to offer.This is a chance for people with Medicare, their families, caregivers, health professionals and community organizations to get involved in conversations and activities all to promote disease prevention and wellness, healthier living and living longer.

Individuals will have the chance to join in the following:

• Receive a Preventative Benefits Checklist to take to their doctor and find out which services are the most appropriate for them.
• Learn about MyMedicare.gov, an easy-to-use online resource to help track preventative benefits to ensure individuals are taking full advantage of the services available to them.
• Talk with professionals and representatives about preventative programs and measures.

The bus will visit the following communities in South Dakota:

• Watertown on Monday, July 2 at the Terry Redlin Art Center from 4:30-5 p.m. (CT)
• Flandreau on Tuesday, July 3 at the Flandreau Community Center from 9-10 a.m. (CT)
• Sioux Falls on Tuesday, July 3 at the SE Technical Institute, Sullivan Health Sciences Center Auditorium from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (CT)
• Pierre on Wednesday, July 4 at the SD Discovery Center from 12:30-2 p.m. (CT)

The South Dakota Department of Social Services along with other local agencies and organizations encourage citizens to take an active role in living longer, healthier lives by visiting the bus as it stops in one of the four communities.

To learn more about the bus tour, A Healthier US Starts Here and Medicare information, visit www.medicare.gov.