Medicare safety net expires, leaving officials scrambling.(Main)

Byline: RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON - Medicare officials scrambled Friday to prevent another round of frustrating problems at the pharmacy counter, as a crucial protection expires today for many patients in the new prescription program.

The safeguard allowed patients who joined the drug plan when it was launched Jan. 1 to receive a 90-day supply of medications even if the specific drugs they needed were not covered by their insurer. But that proviso will no longer apply, even though Medicare Administrator Mark McClellan said some patients still have not found substitute medications that are covered by their …