USATODAY.com - Seniors denied Rx drug benefits

USATODAY.com - Seniors denied Rx drug benefits: "Seniors denied Rx drug benefits
By Richard Wolf and Julie Appleby, USA TODAY
Medicare's new prescription-drug program is causing thousands of low-income seniors and disabled Americans to lose their drug benefits, prompting at least 14 states to pay for their prescriptions.
Pharmacist Rich Harvie works Jan. 4 in Montpelier, Vt., a state where the benefit's start has been bumpy, with thousands complaining to officials. Pharmacist Rich Harvie works Jan. 4 in Montpelier, Vt., a state where the benefit's start has been bumpy, with thousands complaining to officials.
By Toby Talbot, AP

The problem affects thousands of the 6.2 million people whose drug coverage was automatically transferred from Medicaid to Medicare this month. At drugstores nationwide, pharmacists are telling beneficiaries that they're not enrolled, or their drugs aren't covered, or they must pay deductibles and larger co-payments than they can afford, interviews with federal, state and local officials show. (Related story: Benefit costly for some poor)"