Not understanding Medicare Part D still an issue; medication adherence may be improving overall (EurekAlert!)
There still appears to be some lack of knowledge regarding Medicare's Part D prescription drug program, although there is evidence that cost-related medication nonadherence may have improved overall, according to two studies in the April 23/30 issue of JAMA.

Sickest patients still struggle under new Medicare Part D benefit (PhysOrg)
A recent study finds that the advantages of the new Medicare Part D drug benefit a program that for the first time offers Medicare recipients prescription drug coverage are mixed. On the one hand, both healthy and sick beneficiaries are now less likely to cut back on basic necessities (e.g., food) in order to pay for medicine. However, the sickest patients, who typically have high drug ...

Sickest Patients Still Struggle Under New Medicare Part D Benefit (Newswise)
While the new Medicare Part D drug benefit has produced positive outcomes, the sickest patients still skip medications for financial reasons.

Medicare Part D beneficiaries may pay a price for poor knowledge of their Part D benefits (EurekAlert!)
April 22, 2008 (Oakland, Calif.) Medicare Beneficiaries have limited knowledge of their Medicare Part D outpatient prescription drug benefits.