Medicare has a useful tool on its Web site that lets you find Part D prescription drug plans available in your area and compare them based on the prescription drugs you are taking. Go to www.medicare.gov and click on Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. Next, click on Find and Compare Plans, then on Begin Personalized Search. Have your Medicare claim number handy and your prescription bottles, so you can enter the right name and dosage for each drug.

The results will let you compare the total cost of plans, but before making a choice, call the insurance company and make sure that the information you get from the Web site is current and correct.