County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced that introductory workshops on Medicare "basics" are set to take place on Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 in the County Office Building located at 9 S. First Ave., Mount Vernon.

 The sessions are presented by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) and will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the eighth-floor conference room.

All the workshops are free, but early registration is suggested because the classes fill up quickly. To sign up call the DSPS Medicare Information Line at (914) 813-6100, which is open year-round.

Case workers will provide information about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D and explain how to use Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) for even greater savings. EPIC is a New York State-sponsored plan that helps eligible seniors pay for prescription drug costs. They will also discuss Medigap insurance, cost-sharing and preventive benefits.

Seniors are also reminded that enrollment for Medicare Part D for 2015 will take place this year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for plans to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

For more information, visit www.medicare.gov or call (800) 633-4227, the federal government's official Medicare website and helpline.