Deciphering Medicare prescription drug plans

Tuesday was the first day for seniors to sign up for a Medicare drug coverage program known as Part D. I didn’t make it.

I don’t think I am the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but I know I am not the dimmest wattage either, and I gotta tell ya -- I burned out trying to decide on the best plan for me.

So I dumped the whole research into the lap of my daughter-in-law, Chris. She is a terrier when it comes to untangling knotty puzzles.

After about a week, she threw in the towel and dished it off to my son, Kenny, who firmly believes that a computer is the source of all knowledge.

“I have never seen anything so ridiculous,” Kenny said. “The choices are so numerous that the permutations are endless, and on top of that, you have to guess on what you will need in the future. It’s a total crapshoot.”

This from the guy that couldn’t wait three days last year for a computer virus to be cured, figured it out himself and in one day had computers back up for himself, his wife, his two brothers and all of my grandchildren, who suffer withdrawal symptoms without the Internet.

“This is even more confusing than when Medicare was introduced,” said Anthony D’Altorio, veteran Bushard’s pharmacist. “I don’t think it will be too smooth in January, but problems should be ironed out in another six months. The main confusion is which company would be better.”

Kenny found more than 60 in our area.

Just what I need: more choices.

“It’s horrible,” Senior Center volunteer Jean Stevens said. “It’s a terribly complicated mess, and I don’t know anyone who is going to participate. They should disband it and leave seniors alone.”

If you are going to participate, most agree that you should start by making a list of medications already being taken and their costs.

It might be a good idea also to look at your genetic history to get an idea of what drugs you might be taking down the road.

“Look at your immediate family -- parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles,” said George Kridner, vice president of pharmacy operations for Quality Drug Corp., owner of Laguna Drugs on Broadway. “If there is a line of diabetics in the family, look at [the costs] of diabetic medications. The Medicare website recommends plans based on medications.”

Kridner said Medicare selected nine carriers, which rolled out one or more plans for drug coverage in Region 32 -- that would be us.

He has seen changes since the program was unveiled in July and expects to see more.

“We are in the process of putting together an informational meeting for all Laguna Beach seniors,” Kridner said.

South Coast Medical Center Foundation also plans to host a presentation on “The New Medicare Plan and How to Use It” in mid-January.

“We probably should have a picture of someone pulling out their hair,” foundation marketing coordinator Kate Tschudin said. “I have been inundated with questions about the plans.”

The Laguna Beach Senior Center on Legion Street will be the first off the mark to spread the word -- with a seminar from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Dec. 7.

“You need to start now to research the programs,” city seniors coordinator Sharon Olney said.

“I recommend talking to people who are savvy in this: your doctor, your insurance agent or the county’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.”

Pharmacists are also fielding questions.

“We have a couple of brochures here,” Bushard’s certified pharmacy technician Alana Williams said. “But we still have questions ourselves.”

Sunset Drug pharmacist Bill Nguyen advises sitting tight.

“It’s still too new,” Nguyen said. “Don’t sign any papers until the issues are clearer.”