New opt-in plan lets seniors pay drug costs in smaller monthly amounts over a year.
Helps when deductibles reset and patients may owe about $2,000 before insurance covers remaining prescription costs.
Example: a $2,000 January drug could become about $167 per month for the rest of the year.
Advocates say low awareness limits enrollment; some patients skip prescriptions that could extend or improve life.
Researchers urge point-of-sale enrollment; currently people must leave the pharmacy and contact their Medicare insurer to enroll.
