Joel Mekler | Medicare Moments: Last-minute tips when choosing a Medicare plan |

If you are wondering how to choose a Medicare plan and feel like tearing your hair out, you are not alone.

I frequently hear comments from Medicare beneficiaries about how they considered themselves reasonably intelligent until they started trying to figure out Medicare.

Don’t be discouraged! Choosing a Medicare plan can be confusing to many people. I hope these last-minute tips on selecting a Medicare plan are helpful.

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period is about to close: Wednesday is your final chance to change from one Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan to another. If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you can switch to a private Medicare Advantage plan or drop existing Medicare Advantage coverage to return to Original Medicare.

Using the www.medicare.gov website is the best way to compare options. The Medicare Plan Finder Tool will let you search for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans in your county based on your preferences.

You first need to think about what’s most important to you. Depending on your situation, certain things might be essential, like costs, being able to use your current doctor or provider, or making sure the plan offers a particular benefit, like vision or dental. The Plan Finder will allow you to see detailed information on the following:

COSTS

Consider all of your out-of-pocket costs, not just the monthly premium amounts. Make sure to compare estimates of your total costs in a year. Some plans with higher monthly premiums might offer lower copayments or lower maximum costs.

If you don’t get health services often or take any prescription drugs: Look at the monthly premiums of each plan to see how much you would pay even if you don’t get any health services or drugs. You can sort the plans available to you to find and compare plans by “Lowest monthly premium.”

If you take drugs regularly: Log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to save a list of your drug plans and pharmacies. Comparing plans will give you a better estimate of your yearly costs. You can also sort plans by “Lowest drug + premium” cost.

If you join a plan during Open Enrollment (Oct.15 through Dec. 7 each year), this yearly cost includes 12 months of premiums plus the estimated cost to fill the drugs you added at the pharmacies you chose.

If you join a plan outside of Open Enrollment, this yearly cost includes premiums for the number of months left in the year, plus the estimated cost to fill the drugs you added at the pharmacies you chose.

If you get health services often: Look at the maximum you pay to get an estimate of what your total cost for health services could be for the year. Once you meet this amount, the plan will pay your health costs for the rest of the year (except for the monthly plan premium and standard Part B premium). If you also take drugs regularly, add the maximum and yearly costs together to estimate your possible total cost for the year.

DRUGS AND PHARMACIES