Picking A Prescription Plan: You Can Do It!

If you have decided to sign up for Medicare Part D, here’s some healthy advice: “The first thing to do,” says Judy Cahill, executive director of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, “is make a list of all the prescription drugs that you currently take, either on a regular basis or from time to time.” If you have any questions, call your pharmacist or your doctor and make sure you know these basic facts:

• The drug’s brand and generic names

• Why you take it

• The dose and the form (tablet, capsule, liquid)

• What each drug costs

• What you spent last year.

Put that information on a sheet of paper and you can begin to get a picture of what kind of coverage you need. Remember-your needs may not be the same as your spouse’s or your friends. This information is different for each individual. If you spend part of the year in another location, shop for a plan that will cover your needs in both places. Record your thoughts and questions in a notebook as you read through plan literature.

If your drug use is small, consider a plan with low premiums and high...