Are there any national,regional,or State of CT business entities that are
offering unbiased advice to senior's for a fee to help them select
the most appropriate Medicare Part D provider based on their own prescription
coverage and costs?

There are Geriatric Care Managers that are trained in this system, and
most have been trained at the state level to know their state's plans.
Each state can have many plans, with varying deductibles and copays.
You have to  know how to enter the client's medications to asses for
the right program. You also have to ask questions regarding their
current coverage and their financial status. You can find Geriatric
Care Mangers in your area by looking at www.caremanager.org, and
entering a city or zip code.  I perform this service in Metro Atlanta.
See my website at www.gaseniorsolutions.com

Well, there are no sources of pure unbiased information yet available.
 As the comment from kathy61 states, each state has its own system.  A
drug may, and more than likely, have different costs in different
states.  The real 'kicker' is that since our seniors take between 8-12
different prescriptions a month.

There will be no magic answer! No one 'formulary' fits all!

Get a list of all your current prescriptions from your pharmacy.  The
last 3 to 6 months should do it.  We are only two (2) days into this
process, so relax a bit.  It is not May of 2006 yet!  The mail outs,
t.v. ads, and the dreaded phone abuse has not yet been 'ramped up'.

As a pharmacist answering this question all day, remember that all of
these provider companies are in it for the money.  Just make sure they
make their money off of someone else.

Georgia Cares
Georgia Division of Aging Services
(Formerly HICARE-Health Insurance
Counseling Assistance Referral for the Elderly)
1 800 669-8387
1 404 657-5334 (Atlanta Area)
2 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 9-210
Atlanta, Georgia  30303-3142
Phone: 1-800-669-8387 (toll-free nationwide)
Website:   http://www2.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/agingcares.html

Educates and assists Medicare beneficiaries, those eligible for
Medicare, and caregivers about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, pharmacy
assistance programs, and other issues related to health insurance
benefits.

    * Low Cost Prescription Assistance Programs
    * Health Insurance
    * Managed Care
    * Long-Term Care Insurance
    * Medigap Insurance Counseling
    * Medicare Savings Programs
    * Prescription Drug Programs

Also contact:
AgeWise Connections
Atlanta Regional Commission
404/463-3333

PRESENTATION: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Description:	Offered by the Sixty Plus Older Adult Services program at
Piedmont Hospital to educate the community on the new Medicare Part D
Drug Benefit that will be in effect January 1, 2006.

Date:12/09/05    
Time:01:30 PM - 03:00 PM 
The Cathedral of Saint Philip
2744 Peachtree Road NW
Room:382
Atlanta, GA  30305
404-365-1000

Admission Free

Ministry: Outreach | Community Events 
Contact:Anita Richards
404-605-3818
Anita.Richards@piedmont.org

The federal government site has an interactive tool that will help you
choose an insurance provider based on certain criteria you set such as
maximum deductible and co-pays, generic substitution etc.  It's about
as unbiased as you will get.

The site address is:
 http://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF/Public/Include/DataSection/Questions/MPDPFIntro.asp?version=default&browser=IE%7C6%7CWinXP&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home&ViewType=Public&PDPYear=2006&MAPDYear=2006&MPDPF%5FMPPF%5FIntegrate=N

Since it is the government's site, they tend to be a little rosy on
how good the program is.  If you want more information on the Medicare
Part D plan and how it's working for patients, the following site has
been following the controversy:

http://online-pharmacy-faqs.blogspot.com/

As always, buyer beware!

Cheers!