Prescription for help in choosing the right Medicare drug plan: Talk to your local pharmacist

Medicare plans also make changes that could affect the drugs that are covered and how much they cost. Many plans are increasing their premiums. And this year, some insurance companies are discontinuing plans and moving patients to new plans as a result of new federal requirements. More than ever, patients need to educate themselves and read the fine print of each plan to make sure to avoid surprises.

One simple way to know which Part D Plan is the best one for you or your loved one is to go to www.Medicare.gov and enter in your medications in the site’s Plan Finder. It only takes a few minutes and will give you peace of mind that the best plan was chosen. Take, for example, the new drug plan co-branded by Walmart and Humana. It advertises low premiums, but the plan’s restrictions could cost some patients more in the end. For example:

• Patients can access the lowest advertised prices only if they exclusively use a select list of generic drugs.
• Patients who choose this plan are required to visit Walmart stores (which make up less than 7 percent of U.S. retail pharmacies) or get their medication through the mail in order to get the lowest prices. Otherwise, patients will likely face significantly higher drug costs at other retail pharmacies, including co-payments of up to 50 percent of a drug’s cost.

Personal interactions with trained pharmacy professionals can help to improve health outcomes for all Americans. An estimated $290 billion is spent annually in the U.S. due to patients who do not take their medications properly. Many patients, especially seniors, take a combination of drugs. Community pharmacists are trained professionals who guard against potential interactions with prescriptions and over the counter medication, helping to ensure that medications are taken as directed.

That’s why, in large part, patients have ranked pharmacists in the top three most trusted professions in Gallup’s annual poll for 20 years running. In the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates National Pharmacy Study of customer satisfaction, respondents expressed their strong preference and appreciation for the services of independent community pharmacies.

It’s important for patients to look at the total cost of any Medicare prescription plan and plug all of their current and anticipated medication needs into the Medicare Plan Finder software. Independent community pharmacists are available in your neighborhood to assist with patient education if needed. Knowing that your community pharmacist is available to answer questions, discuss concerns and offer help is invaluable when coping with an illness. So why wouldn’t you take the same care with your financial health?

As medication experts, community pharmacists can help patients determine which plans cover important medications and help calculate total annual drug costs. Use your local community pharmacist as a resource. And at a minimum, “Plug in Your Drugs” at www.medicare.gov.

Robert J. Greenwood, RPh, is president of the National Community Pharmacists Association and a pharmacy owner in Waterloo, Iowa.