Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.

Abstract: A Pharmacy Benefits Calculator reads in an insured's prior pharmacy claims history and then calculates said insured's anticipated out-of-pocket costs for one or more pharmacy benefits plans that said insured is eligible to enroll in. Provision is made for an insured to modify their anticipated future pharmacy needs. Provision is also made for an insured to compare their out-of-pocket costs for different alternative drugs, said alternative drugs providing comparable therapeutic benefits. Provision also is made for an insured to substitute a lower cost generic equivalent for a brand drug, when available. Another provision is made for an insured to choose to price drugs at a retail pharmacy store or a mail order pharmacy and determine cost differences. The pricing available from said retail pharmacy store may be based on a price negotiated by an insurance company offering said pharmacy benefits plans.