SIERRA VISTA — Open enrollment for Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits begins Saturday.

With 49 prescription drug plans to chose from in Arizona, many seniors need assistance in understanding which options are best for them.

Grace Murico, the Medicare health counselor with the SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization, will be holding an enrollment informational session from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Oasis Apartments, 4250 E. Busby Drive.

Sponsored by the SEAGO Area Agency on Aging, Murico will be using a PowerPoint presentation to discuss different plans and point out changes that seniors need to know about. One of those changes is an increase in the deductible for prescription drugs.

“Last year the deductible for Part D was $275, and it’s now up to $295,” Murico said. “There is help for those who need it. I’ll have applications for low-income individuals who need assistance in paying their Part D premiums.”

Those planning to attend the meeting should bring insurance cards and a list of medications they’re currently taking, to include the frequency and dosage. There will be people on hand to help answer questions.

“The purpose of this session is to help seniors make a choice about which plan works best for them,” Murico said. “Some of these changes are very confusing and difficult for seniors to understand. I actually go through special training programs so I can understand all the changes.”

Open enrollment goes from Saturday through Dec. 31.

Seniors are welcome to attend any of the SEAGO meetings that are being held throughout the county. The “open house” meeting format allows attendees to arrive anytime during the scheduled meeting times.

SEAGO Area Agency on Aging is sponsoring the following Medicare Part D informational meetings for seniors:

• Monday — 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Douglas Public Library, 560 10th St., Douglas.

• Wednesday — 1 to 4 p.m. at the Sierra Vista Mobile Home Village, 733 Deer Creek Lane, Sierra Vista.

• Thursday — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bisbee Senior Center, 300 Collins Road, Bisbee.

• Nov. 24th — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Huachuca City Public Library, 506 Gonzales Blvd., Huachuca City.

For those who are unable to attend one of the meetings, but have questions, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227. The different plans can be compared through the Medicare Plan Finder by going to www.medicare.gov.

Grace Murico, the Medicare health counselor with SEAGO, can be reached at 432-5301.