Need help sorting through the choices for Medicare’s optional prescription drug and managed-care plans in 2012?There are several places to turn.Make sure you have your Medicare ID number, a complete list of current prescription medicines and their doses when seeking help.Personalized adviceThe Medicare program provides personalized help at 800-633-4227.People with computer access can do the research on their own (or get a computer-savvy loved one to do it) by visiting www.medicare.gov. To begin a personalized search to find the plan that’s estimated to be the cheapest, click on “Compare Drug and Health Plans” and enter the requested information.Events to review plansThe Greater Akron/Canton Area Agency on Aging is hosting several events to help Medicare participants review their options for 2012:• Nov. 7: Akron General Health & Wellness Center-West, 4125 Medina Road, Bath Township.• Nov. 8: Guy’s Party Centre, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron.• Nov. 9: Oakwood Senior Center, 705 Oakwood St., Ravenna.• Nov. 14: Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St. NW (state Route 619).Francine Chuchanis, the agency’s ombudsman supervisor, will discuss tips for selecting coverage and the changes to Medicare in 2012.Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., except for the Ravenna session, which starts at 8 a.m.The free programs include breakfast at all locations and lunch at the Akron, Bath Township and Hartville events.For information or to register, call 330-899-5255.The agency also provides help from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to people who call 877-770-5558.State assistanceThe Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is offering free help during Medicare Check-Up Days in every county.Events in the Akron area include:• Presentation at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 at Mercy Medical Center’s Mercy Hall Auditorium, 1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton. Counseling will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Call 800-223-8662 for an appointment.• Presentation at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at Dunlap Community Hospital, 832 S. Main St., Orrville. Counseling will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Call 330-682-3010, ext. 110, for an appointment.• On-site enrollment and plan review assistance, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Wadsworth Center for Older Adults, 138 High St.• Presentation at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at the Twinsburg Senior Center, 10260 Ravenna Road. Call 330-963-8722 for a counseling appointment following the presentation.In addition, the state program provides personalized help from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by calling 800-686-1578.Free or reduced pricesPeople with limited income can qualify for free drug coverage or reduced monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs.To qualify, combined savings, investments and real estate must be worth less than $25,260 for Medicare enrollees who are married and living with their spouse or $12,640 for those who are unmarried or not living with their spouse. (The eligibility requirements don’t include the value of the home in which people live, their personal possessions, burial plots or irrevocable burial contracts.)For information, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020.Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.