DENVER -- It's that time again: eligible seniors have six weeks to sign up for the prescription drug benefit program called Medicare Part D and Medigap, the supplement that covers additional expenses like co-payments and deductibles.

Seniors who recently turned 65 and qualify can enroll in the program for the first time. But every senior should review the plans for 2009. Each year the plans change the prices of drugs and may exclude drugs that were covered the previous year.

Even seniors who don't currently take prescription drugs should sign up. Those who don't sign up when they first become eligible will be hit with big penalties to pay when they do need prescriptions.

Seniors who are covered by a comparable company or retiree prescription plan, or who have signed up for an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan do not need to sign up for Medicare part D. Seniors who have prescription drug access through the Veterans Administration may want to choose an inexpensive Part D plan for drugs the VA does not cover.

Here are the steps to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan via the Internet:

Step 1. Make a complete list of all the medicines and dosages that you are now taking. If you're not sure you can ask your pharmacist for this list.

Step 2. Go to the Medicare Web site.

Step 3. You have a choice of either a "personalized" search or a "generalized" search on the Web site. If you already have your Medicare card, you can use the personalized search and input information from your card. If you don't have a Medicare card you can use the generalized search to find and compare plans available in your area.

Step 4. Next, enter the drugs you are currently taking and the dosages. If you do not take prescription drugs now you must state that fact on this page. If you choose to search for the drug name alphabetically make sure the dosage matches yours.

Step 5: Next, you'll be asked if you have a specific pharmacy that you'd like to work with.

Step 6. The next page lists all the plans in your area, ranked with the lowest total cost at the top of the list. You can select up to three plans to compare. You can click to see how you might lower your cost, perhaps by switching to a generic drug, or a less-expensive alternative drug in the same category. (Be sure to discuss any changes with your doctor.) Each plan has a “star” rating, up to 5 stars, based on a survey conducted for Medicare about the quality and performance of those plans over the past year.

Step 7. After comparing the plans by cost, click on the name of each plan provider to find full details. You can print out the pages for each plan for further study.

Step 8. Once you're decided on a plan call the toll-free number and reconfirm prices and coverage for the drugs you take, as well as all co-payments. If you're satisfied the plan is the one you want, ask them to send you the application so you can sign up.

If you don’t have a computer, or easy access to one, you can call the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance. The toll-free number is 1-888-696-7213. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help. Customer service representatives are on duty 24/7 (except Christmas Day).