A trained team of 17 Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance volunteers now are helping Medicare recipients understand and access the new prescription drug plans.

Sites have been established throughout the county.

People who sign up for a plan by Dec. 31 will have coverage beginning Jan. 1, the first day the plans take effect. People have until May 15 to select a plan and enroll without penalty.

“There are 49 drug plans offered in our area by 20 different companies,” said Melody Gillard-Juarez, Retired Senior & Volunteer Program director, in a press release.

Selecting a plan will depend on many things, including prescriptions taken, costs of medications and pharmacy used. The best way to determine the right plan for each individual is to use Medicare’s drug plan finder on the computer, she said.

SHIBA volunteers are educated to help individuals select a plan and will be available by appointment at the following locations for one-to-one assistance:

Coos Bay

n North Bend Medical Center: 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays and Fridays, Resource Center, 1900 Woodland Dr. Call 267-5151, ext. 401 for appointment.

n Coos Bay Public Library: 1-5 p.m. Fridays, 525 Anderson. Call 888-1593 for appointment.

North Bend

n North Bend Library: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, 1800 Sherman Ave., Call 888-1593 for appointment.

Coquille

n Coquille Courtyard: 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays, 341 East 2nd Street. Call 888-1593 for appointment.

Bandon

n Call Lyn at 347-1585 to schedule appointment.

Powers

n Call Dixie at 439-2446 to schedule appointment.

You musts bring

1. Current list of medications, dosage and milligrams. It is a good idea to get this list from your doctor(s) to be sure it is up-to-date.

2. Pharmacy or mail-order preference.

3. Information about any insurance or supplement you currently have, including any letters you have received about Medicare Part D.

4. Medicare card.

5. An accurate idea of monthly medication costs.

6. Prescription discount drug card, if you have one.

RSVP also is planning enrollment assistance at the college’s computer lab in the Newmark Center on Dec. 15 and in Powers at the Library on Dec. 14. Those interested should call 888-1593 for an appointment for these as well.

People with prescription coverage through former employers should not sign up for any other coverage without first consulting their plan administrator. If they sign up for another plan, they could lose existing coverage.

People who receive any services from the state (DOCS, food stamps, Part B premium, etc.) should see their case worker for individual help signing up for prescription coverage.

For further information and appointments, those interested can call the SHIBA volunteer line at 888-1593. This line will not be available from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2 because the RSVP office, located at Southwestern Oregon Community College, will be closed for the Christmas break. During this time, help with the drug plans is available by making appointments directly at the sites when volunteers are there.

People also can call (800) 633-4227 or go to the Web site at http://www.medicare.gov.