Peppered with warnings such as, "Don't Miss Out on this Offer," the pamphlets and brochures tout Web sites, information hot lines and sign-up deadlines that may or may not be useful. Turner wouldn't know.

"I get a new mailing practically every day. They all go in the garbage can," said the 94-year-old Salt Lake City resident.

To answer questions from Medicare recipients such as Turner who may be overwhelmed by the new drug benefit, former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt will make a stop in St. George today. As U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, Leavitt will kick off the western portion of the mobile Medicare tour by meeting with seniors and health officials there. Leavitt's tour will continue on to Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

The goal of the tour is to encourage Utah's quarter-million Medicare recipients to do their homework. Ready or not, the new Medicare drug benefit is coming and will require all beneficiaries to choose from at least two - and possibly 10 - different plans. Comparing them will entail scanning drug lists for preferred brand names or generic prescriptions and weighing the cost of enrolling in one versus the others.

Failure to meet enrollment deadlines or make the right choices could mean higher premiums and changes in benefits affecting a Medicare recipient's ability to afford prescriptions for years to come.

The official enrollment date isn't until Nov. 15, and detailed information about the plans won't be available until October.

But in Salt Lake County, where 110,000 (almost half) of the state's Medicare recipients reside, advocates are already going door-to-door to alert low-income seniors and people with disabilities they can apply now for special discounts.

Seniors with limited assets and earning less than $1,197 a month - or $1,604 for a married couple - may qualify for extra help paying for premiums and co-pays.

"It's a really good deal for those seniors who qualify. If you're in this category and want help, this is the time because we have time," said Salt Lake County Aging Services administrator Peter Hebertson, handing an application to Turner and three other seniors at St. Mark's, a subsidized housing complex for low-income seniors in Salt Lake City.

Turner recognized the form as one she trashed some time ago.

Health officials estimate that 100,000 Utahns are eligible for the discounts.

Most were mailed applications. But there are likely thousands who received no notice and are eligible.

It's these folks that Hebertson is working feverishly to find.

Hebertson is mostly relying on doctors, nurses and staff at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and in-home care agencies to spread the word about the new prescription plan.

"You'll get the questions. We'll have the answers!" is his pitch to these ground-level workers who, if they haven't received training, are advised to dial 800-541-7735. Medicare recipients with questions also are encouraged to use the referral line.

kstewart@sltrib.com

---

Tribune reporter Carey Hamilton contributed to this story.