Print these instructions to use with the Medicare.gov Prescription Drug Plan Finder
You can get to the Prescription Drug Plan Finder in two ways. You will get the same information either way.
If you go to Medicare.gov (http://www.medicare.gov), start here:
- In the blue box "Prescription Drug Plans" on the right, click "Compare."
- In the blue box on the left side of the web site page, click "Find & Compare Plans."
If you are in the My Medicare Matters site and click a button for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, start here:
- In the blue box on the left side of the web site page, click "Find & Compare Plans."
Step 1: Select a Search Option
- If you know your Medicare claim number, you can do a Personalized Search. The Personalized Search will give you more personalized, accurate information because it considers the coverage you have now.
- If you do not have Medicare yet or do not want to enter your personal information, you can do a General Search. (Instructions are below).
Instructions for a General Search: Click "Begin General Search."
Step 2: Enter the Requested Information
- Enter the following information on this page:
- Your zip code.
- Whether you have prescription drug coverage.
- Whether you have any other health insurance.
- Whether you got a letter from Medicare or Social Security saying you are eligible for extra help with costs.
- (You can also enter your age range and health status, but this information is not required.)
- Click “Continue.”
Step 3: Review Current Coverage and Consider Options
- Click “Continue.”
- Decide If You Want to Get Drug Costs for Your Plans: If yes, click “Enter My Drugs.” It’s a good idea to check on the costs to get an idea of what you’d pay next year. If no, click "Continue to Plan List" to get a list of plans in your area and general information about plan costs.
- Find and Enter Your Drug Information: Type in the name of each medicine you take and click “Search for Drug” after each one. If there are several similar drug names, it may ask you to pick which one you want. Once you select the drug you are taking, click "Add Selected to Your Drug List." It will then put the drugs together in “My Drug List.” When you have typed in all your medicines, click “Continue.”
- Review Your Drug Dosages and Quantities: Make sure to show the correct dose and monthly quantity of each medicine you take. When you are finished, click “Continue.”
- Save Your Drug List (Optional): You can choose a security password to save your information and click “Continue.” Or if you don't want to save your drug list, click “Skip This Step.”
- Select a Preferred Pharmacy or Pharmacies: Choose “Yes” or “No” then click “Continue.”
- Your Personalized Plan List: The Drug Plan Finder will tell you how many Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Health Plans are available in your zip code. Scroll down on the page to see the plans, which are sorted starting with plans with the lowest “Estimated Annual Cost.”
- You’ll want to check on three things:
- The monthly premium you’ll pay to the plan,
- Any deductible amount you’ll have to pay before the plan starts covering your drugs, and
- The copayment or coinsurance amount the plan charges for your drugs.
- If there is a “yes” for any plan in the box marked “Drug Restriction/Off Formulary,” click on it. It will tell you
- If any of the plans you are comparing don’t cover your drugs,
- If your doctor must give the plan permission for you to get any of your drugs, or
- If the plans might make you try another drug before you can get the ones your doctor has ordered for you.
- You may need to talk to your doctor and the plan to get more information before deciding which plan to choose.
- You can check up to three plans; then click “Compare.” Detailed information will appear, including Your Total Annual Drug Plan Cost, the monthly premiums, deductible, copays or coinsurance for each drug, and so forth.
- You can also pull down the menu under each plan name and choose “Lower my Cost Share” to get information on reducing the cost of your drugs. You can also click on “plan details” to learn more about how each plan covers your drugs.