Medicare Part D, the drug prescription program for Medicare, began accepting enrollment Saturday for 2009. The enrollment deadline is Dec. 31.

Until Dec. 31, current Part D beneficiaries can change plans, and those eligible to join can select a plan.

Those who don't make a choice by Dec. 31 will have to wait another year, said David Sayen, regional administrator of Medicare/Medicaid services.

Moreover, if people wait until nearly the Dec. 31 enrollment deadline, their benefits won't be available immediately, Sayen said, because time is needed to process the requests.

To avoid delay, Sayen urged people to make their choices by mid-December so their benefits would be ready when the new year begins.

Plenty of help is available for choosing between all the various Part D prescription drug plans, Sayen said, starting with Medicare's toll-free number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). The line is available every day of the week, 24 hours a day.

"You can sign up on our Web site (http://www.medicare.gov), or you can sign up with some of the plans on their Web sites," Sayen said. "You don't need to do it on day one, but you don't want to do it on Dec. 29th, either."

Even those who are satisfied with their current prescription drug plan should go through the process anyway, Sayen said. For example, the benefits or list of participating pharmacies may have changed in the plan.

California is also providing help for those eligible for Part D. For personal assistance, call the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222.

The California Department of Aging breaks down the process into three steps:

1: Review the 2009 costs for the current drug and health plan, including premiums, co-pays, deductibles and hidden costs.

2: Compare the cost and coverage to other plans in the area.

3: Check to see if the drug plan covers prescribed medicines and works with their pharmacy.

For those who want in-person help, free presentations at local senior centers are a good choice. Here are three presentations this week:

Wednesday

10 a.m. Vista -- McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive, "Medicare Made Clear Info Talk," presented by United Health Care and Charles Studebaker. Reserve a space by calling (760) 639-6162.

2 p.m. Escondido -- California Center for the Arts, health care plan options for the those eligible for Medicare, presented by SCAN Health Plan. Reserve a space by calling (877) 487-0333.

Thursday

9:30 a.m. Rancho Bernardo -- Rancho Bernardo Senior Services, 16769 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite K-14. Health insurance specialist Patty Ann Born will present a seminar on Medicare HMOs and Medicare Part D. Reserve a space by calling (858) 487-2640.

Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.