What prescription plan is right for you and what is the donut hole?
By Edward Marion
Q. As an active person of 68, what Prescription Drug Plan is right for me? And what is the "Donut Hole"?"

A. Now is the time when Medicare allows you to switch your health, hospital, and drug plan for the coming year

Drug plans are based on monthly premiums and co-pays when medications are purchased. Co- pays are based on the type of drug and how it is categorized. This can be checked on the Internet, by calling the insurance agent directly, or by checking with your pharmacy.

Cost per drug versus cost per month is something to consider when making a choice.

The Gap Period or donut hole is when the amount of medications purchased, based on their retail price, exceeds $2400. Once in this period, the list price must be paid for all drugs until you spend $5,451.25.

If a plan claims to cover you during the Gap Period then you still want to see a monthly printout of your estimated cost for the entire year in case some of your prescriptions are not covered while in the Gap.

Generic alternatives are available in many cases and may help avoid the Gap period.

Finally, check to see if the drug plan has a deductible before it begins to pay.