This retirement expert saved her mom $1,200 on Medicare drugs, says older people are ‘getting screwed’ — here are 3 of her tips to cut your health care costs ASAP

1. Use the official Medicare tool to find a plan

Mantell warned that many seniors confuse private for-profit sites with the official Medicare.gov site and said that can be a headache in the making. She urged retirees to use the government's approved website to compare costs when selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

While Mantell said the tool can be "a little kludgy," but it has all the resources retirees need to pick a plan. You just need to be specific in the details you provide. You'll have to enter all of the prescription drugs you're taking, including the doses and select the pharmacy to buy them from.

Once you provide the information, the tool lists plans from the most affordable to the most expensive. By looking at the total costs and clicking to read the fine print for each plan, you can find the Medicare Part D plan that has the best overall value.

Open enrollment for Medicare runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. You'll want to do the comparison, get signed up and customize your plan for the right coverage during this period.

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2. Choose your pharmacy carefully

Retirees often have a choice about where they get their medications, and Mantell said selecting the right pharmacy is also key to keeping costs down. She told MarketWatch she once saved a client $53,300 by helping her switch to an in-network pharmacy where her meds cost $1,700 per year instead of $55,000.

Online tools provided by Medicare — and your Part D plan — help you find in-network pharmacies. Always get your medications from a pharmacy that participates with your plan and shop around to get quotes on prescriptions from different pharmacies to ensure you get the best deal.

3. Be sure you understand all your coverage options

Finally, Mantell warned that retirees need to understand all the benefits available to them. She added that older Americans signed up for Medicare before Part D was available to cover prescription drugs. Now, they don’t realize they can get coverage.

If you're a senior with questions about whether you have the right Medicare plan, getting help from an expert is a good start. Ensure that you understand their credentials, and how they charge for services. You want to find a trusted professional who will act in your best interests instead of someone eyeing a commission.

For most, using Medicare's finder tool will be the best option. Be sure to take your time registering, submit detailed information and look carefully at the suggested plans to ensure you pick the best one for you.