Medicare faces major challenge in LIS enrollment; enrolling millions in low-income subsidy may take a nationwide effort.(Medicare Part D)(low-income subsidy)

Approximately 7.2 million Medicare beneficiaries could miss out oil the new prescription drug benefit's low-income subsidy because of a paperwork snag.

Available in January 2006, the LIS will cover between 85 percent and 100 percent of beneficiaries' prescription drug costs and provide more than $2,100 in annual savings, but eligible beneficiaries who aren't enrolled in other" public benefits must fill out an application to enroll in the LIS.

The Access to Benefits Coalition released a study June 24 conducted by the Bridgespan Group, called Pathwayss to Success: Meeting the Challenge of Enrolling Medicare Beneficiaries with Limited Incomes, which highlights …