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With less than two weeks remaining to choose a Medicare prescription drug plan for 2009, AARP is urging older Americans to beware of extra charges they may face with some plans. Under a rule implemented this year called “reference-based pricing,” plans in Medicare’s prescription drug program — known as Part D — may add additional penalties when beneficiaries choose brand name drugs over generics. However, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder Web site at Medicare.gov does not include these charges when estimating a person’s total drug costs for the year.

Last week AARP called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to immediately update the Prescription Drug Plan Finder to reflect all of the costs consumers may face for their prescription drugs. AARP is asking for a special enrollment period to allow those in plans with reference-based pricing to make a more informed decision about their prescription drug coverage. The association is also asking CMS to eliminate the use of reference-based pricing in Part D plans.

“The Medicare Plan Finder is an important tool for beneficiaries as they shop for and compare prescription drug plans,” said Cheryl Matheis, AARP senior vice president for health strategy. “Medicare has failed to inform consumers about all the increased costs they may face next year. We all have a right to know what we are paying for our health care.”

AARP is also urging older Americans and their families to review their plan options before Dec. 31 to get the most value from their Part D plan. “Now is the only chance for people in Medicare to choose a new prescription drug plan for next year, and it’s important for everyone to do their homework,” Matheis said. “In this economic crunch, Americans are looking for value in everything they buy — health care should be at the top of that list.”

AARP has resources available at www.aarp.org/medicare to provide more information on choosing Medicare prescription drug coverage, including information on which plans use reference-based pricing.