In San Joaquin County, there are some 49 different Medicare Part D plans.

How do you determine the right plan?

Dr. Rajul A. Patel was the guest speaker Friday at Bethany Home’s Town Square meeting, providing information on that along with possible cost-saving plans in front of a packed room at the Ripon assisted living facility.

He’ll be back on Nov. 9 with a large team of students from the University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. They’ll put together a no-cost health screening and help seniors navigate the many options Medicare has to offer, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bethany Home Town Square campus, 1350 Nikkel Way.

“The great part is they can change the senior’s plan at this health fair so there’s no going home and trying to do it yourself,” said Rob Wagner on behalf of this one-day event.

He added: “It’s not uncommon for these changes to save individuals $1,000 or more yearly on their coverage – with all the changes every year to Medicare, it’s important that beneficiaries come in and see if they can save more money.”

As for the health screening, all are invited to participate and get their flu shot.

Screening will include checking out for anemia, anxiety, blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, fall risks, memory and sleep disorder.