A drug plan intended to make senior citizens’ lives easier has made them unnecessarily more complicated.

One of the problems with the Medicare Part D drug plan for seniors is that there are a multitude of choices in insurance carriers who administer the program. However, one local independent druggist said if seniors have access to a computer and some computer skills, they could sort through what appears to be a Medicare maze.

Pharmacist Dennis Minor of Limestone Drug advises that seniors or someone acting on their behalf such as a computer-literate relative or friend, visit Medicare.gov for guidance through the maze. Except it takes a bit of picking through the Medicare site to hit on the right links.

But by following procedure, which includes listing medications and entering a zip code, visitors will finally arrive at cost calculations for a specific area, listing available insurance plans from least to most expensive.

Council on Aging Director Emily Page Haney said the deadline for Medicare recipients to enroll in Medicare Part D was May 15, but those just turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare benefits may enroll for Part D at any time.

Haney said that those seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plan—which includes hospitalization, doctor and drug coverage—and who are not satisfied, have until June 30 to change plans. She said those already enrolled in Part D, can make plan changes in November.

“We are willing to help anyone who is 65 and receiving Medicare to get enrolled in Medicare Part D,” said Haney. “Drug stores are doing their best to help people, but they just can’t help everyone in depth. They can call us anytime, and come November we will help them as much as we can (with changes).”

The Council on Aging number is 233-6412.

Those wishing to navigate the Medicare Website to get cost calculations should follow these steps:

• Type Medicare.gov into search engine

• Point and click on “Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans”

• Point and click on “Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Check Current Enrollment”

• Choose “General Search”

• Enter zip code, click on choice of current prescription drug coverage, and choose whether you are eligible for additional help

• Point and click on “Choose Drug Plan Type”

• Point and click on “Search for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans”

• This screen will display an extensive list of plans in Section A.; go to Section B. and click on “Enter my medications”

• Enter drug name and click “Search for Drug”

• Click on “Continue with Selected Drugs”

• This will bring you to a Plan Summary and Information screen which will give available plans in your zip code area, whether its available by mail order, number of pharmacies, annual deductible, monthly premium and monthly cost share.