UPDATE 1-WellPoint says sanctions lifted on Medicare plans

* U.S. sanctions imposed in January

* WellPoint shares flat in after-market trade

NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators have lifted sanctions barring WellPoint Inc (WLP.N) from marketing its Medicare plans to seniors, the health insurer said on Wednesday.

WellPoint had been ordered in January to stop marketing and enrollment for its Medicare plans because of violations of federal regulations, including denying seniors access to prescription drugs.

In a securities filing on Wednesday, WellPoint said it received notification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that the sanctions had been lifted.

WellPoint may begin marketing its Medicare plans for the 2010 contract year on Oct 1, when all health insurers are allowed to start marketing.

WellPoint released the filing after the market closed. Its shares were unchanged at $52.84 in after-hours trading, after rising 1.9 percent during the regular session on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf. Editing by Gunna Dickson)