To decide which Medicare Part D plan is right for you, you will first need to organize some information about your current coverage, prescriptions and other relevant health care needs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) suggests that beneficiaries do the following before evaluating and enrolling in a Part D plan:

• Make a list of the prescriptions you currently use, along with the name, dosage and cost of each.
• Review your current health insurance coverage. Take note of what prescription drugs are covered, and what your out-of-pocket costs are, including:

  
  - The amount of your monthly premium
  - The annual deductible
  - Coinsurance or co-payment amounts
  - The coverage limit, and how it compares
     to the Medicare Part D standard plan
  

• If you have employer or union prescription drug coverage, check with your benefits administrator to find out if your coverage is at least as good as the Medicare Part D drug benefit to ensure you are exempt from paying increased premiums in the future.
• Whether your pharmacy accepts the Part D plan you are considering. (Note: Health Mart pharmacies honor nearly all prescription plans. Click here for a list of accepted plans.)

Also, for tips on comparing plans, read the Medicare Part D information provided in the annual Medicare & You handbook, which is available for download at Medicare.gov (PDF format). The guide will include a section about all Medicare Part D plans currently available in your area, and contact information for those plans. You also can request a copy of the current handbook by mail, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

If you prefer, you can find and compare Medicare Part D plans online by using the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. You can conduct either a “Personalized” or a “General” search for plan information. Also, there is a tool for learning more details about Part D plans that are available in your geographic area.

And of course, you also can ask your Health Mart pharmacist for assistance. He or she is up-to-date with the latest news and information about the Part D drug benefit, and can help you to select the plan best suited to your needs.

Also, if you are on a limited-income, and need help paying for your Medicare Part D coverage, your Health Mart pharmacist can help you to apply for assistance from the Social Security Administration’s "Extra Help" program.