Note: The information on this page was prepared for the 2005-06 Medicare enrollment season. Although the basic information is the same, be aware that some things have changed since then.

Using the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Finder

The Medicare web site has an excellent tool to help you with choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Using this tool, you can input the exact prescriptions drugs and dosages that you take, and the tool will calculate your estimated yearly cost for each of the plans available in your area and give you detailed information about each of the plans.

I have used the tool extensively as a volunteer at my local senior services agency, helping people who don’t have computer access to figure out their drug plan choices. Based on my experience, I’ve written a document that will take you step-by-step through using this tool. You can download this document by clicking here (PDF).

Medicare Part D Plan Structure

(Understanding the “Donut Hole”)

This is another document I’ve created to explain how the Medicare Part D plan works. It graphically shows the how the benefits vary as your spending increases, including the infamous Coverage Gap or “Donut Hole”. Download this document by clicking here (PDF).

I hope you will find this information useful!