Medicare deadline arrives

Critics are warning that many seniors attempting to fill prescriptions using Medicare Part D plans may run into problems in the days to come. Today marks the official end of the 90-day transition period insurers agreed to after problems surfaced with the benefit. That makes it seem likely that April will be another key test for the controversial program. Patient advocates are warning that some seniors who are not aware of gaps and other restrictions to their coverage may be unable to obtain needed prescriptions. Medicare officials say insurers are supposed (the key word, obviously) to inform plan members of potential problems. State officials worry that they will once again be forced to intervene.

- see this article from the San Francisco Chronicle