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PHOENIX — Starting next year, some low-income seniors in Arizona will have fewer Medicare prescription-drug-plan options.

Medicare has announced that just two private drug plans will qualify next year for its program, down from the current seven plans available to more than 150,000 eligible low-income Arizonans.

The change means thousands of low-income seniors can expect new plans that may include a different mix of prescription drugs and benefits.

The decrease in plan choices is a result of insurance companies either opting out of providing Medicare coverage because it's not profitable enough or submitting a bid that was rejected by the program.

The two available plans for 2009 are United Healthcare's SierraRx Basic and Health Net's Orange Option 1.

The five leaving Medicare's roster of Arizona drug plans next year are Humana's PDP Standard, Sierra Rx, WellCare Classic and two UniCare plans.

Arizona seniors belonging to the canceled drug plans will be automatically enrolled in either of the two remaining plans. They also have the option of enrolling in the more comprehensive Medicare Advantage plans, but they would have to pay for those.

The lack of choice worries seniors who fear that a limited selection of prescription drugs offered within the two available plans may not cover all their medications.

"We are clearly concerned," said Paul Cotton, a senior legislative representative for AARP.

"Seniors will need to see if they are reassigned to plans that meet their needs."

Advocates suggest recipients should closely check out what the plans offer to ensure they meet their prescription requirements.

Representatives of Health Net and United Healthcare expect to mail out details of their drug plans to new and existing members over the coming weeks. Health Net members will see co-payment increases of 5 to 40 cents.