Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

One in five Medicare Part D benefit enrollees has delayed using or failed to obtain medications because of the program’s costs, according to a new survey released Tuesday.

One reason beneficiaries are experiencing fiscal problems is that many low-income seniors are not aware they can receive additional government payments to lower their costs, the online survey indicated. The journal Health Affairs published the survey, which polled more than 16,000 seniors.

Medicare officials did not comment on the results. About 8% of those with Medicare coverage reported spending more than $300 a month on medications, compared with about 5% each for those with employer and veterans coverage, the survey found. Dual eligibles, those who receive Medicaid and Medicare, are not responsible for their drug costs.