If you find your drug costs exceed $2,400 this year, consider opting for BlueMedicare Rx Option 2 in November, when you can change plans. In the meantime, the following strategies can help lower your out-of-pocket costs during the coverage gap period:

1. Ask your doctor about substituting a generic or other lower-cost drug. Costs for generics are considerably less, and many older drugs may be just as effective as newer ones. In 2004, the average price of a generic prescription was $28.71 a month, compared with an average price of $94.54 a month for a brand-name prescription, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

2. Shop around. Prices vary by pharmacy. You also can explore using mail-order pharmacies, many of which off er lower pricing.

3. Check pharmaceutical assistance programs. Many of the major drug manufacturers off er assistance programs for people enrolled in Medicare Part D. Visit Medicare’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Program website at www.medicare.gov/pap/index.asp to determine if a patient assistance program is offered by the manufacturers of the drugs you take.

4. Explore national and community-based charitable programs. National and community-based charitable programs (such as the National Patient Advocate Foundation or the National Organization for Rare Disorders) may have programs that can help with your drug costs. Information on programs in your area is available on the National Council on Aging’s Benefits Checkup website at www.benefitscheckup.org.

5. Apply for extra help. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra help paying for your prescription drugs. If you qualify, you could pay $1 to $5 for each drug. Contact Social Security by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling (800) 772-1213. TTY users should call (800) 325-0778.