01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, October 30, 2005

More than 170,000 Medicare recipients in Rhode Island -- and 41 million nationwide -- must decide whether to join in a new federal prescription drug coverage program, known as Medicare Part D.

There are dozens of companies and scores of plans to choose from -- a task that may prove confusing for many. Enrollment for the program opens Nov. 15.

The Journal plans a series of stories in the coming weeks on Part D, to help readers understand the process.

We would like to know what questions you have and will answer as many as possible. But readers may also want to consult health-care or financial professionals during this process.

If you have a question, you may submit it by leaving a voice mail at (401) 277-7400 or by sending e-mail to medicare [at] projo.com.

Also, a list of public workshops, planned by the state Department of Elderly Affairs, appears on Page B3, and may be of help in choosing the correct plan.