A new prescription method approved by Congress has dozens of private insurance companies jockeying for the 42 million U.S. citizens on Medicare.

About 1 million have signed up for coverage since enrollment began Nov. 15, the Houston Chronicle reports.

People who miss the 2005 deadline won't be eligible for coverage until Feb. 1.

Those who don't choose a plan by May 15 will automatically be placed into one.

Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, said many seniors are confused by the new prescription coverage policies and will wait to sign up.

Robert Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, said poor people are at risk of losing vital coverage of certain drugs.

Medicare officials say the worry isn't warranted.