Tool compares Medicare Rx plans

Beginning Oct. 13, Medicare beneficiaries and pharmacists trying to help them can go to a Web site to compare the devilish details in the prescription drug plans that will be offered in their area.

Accessible through the http://www.medicare.gov/ Web portal, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder will give beneficiaries personalized information based on their enrollment status, medications, and pharmacy of choice. They will be able to compare up to three drug plans at a time. Information includes annual deductibles, monthly premiums, and the drug share cost. By clicking on a drop-down arrow on the comparison users will be able to view a plan's formulary based on their own medications.

Users will be able to find out whether their pharmacy is in a plan's network. There will also be information about preferred and nonpreferred pharmacies, as well as any mail-order option. Once the user inputs his medications, he can also do a search that will bring up all the pharmacies in his zip code.