The NFL and its players' association are updating their disability plan for retired players in the hopes that it will make it easier for them and for disabled players to get their benefits more efficiently and quickly. It includes a medical director to advise the claims committee; medical panels in metropolitan areas; specialists who can help players apply for benefits by phone; and other updated procedures, including a prescription drug card for all retired players vested in the pension plan. The plan, first reported by The New York Times on its Web site, comes in response to repeated complaints by retired players about the current system. It was confirmed Tuesday evening by union spokesman Carl Francis. The change comes a day after the league and union announced that 14 hospitals around the country had been designated to treat retired players who need joint replacements.