Financial inst 1099-B breaks out stock sale proceeds bt covered & uncoverd securities.Turb tax appears to lump cost basis together in box 1a. is that right?

No, that is not right. Each transaction should have imported to stand on its own. Box 1a is a description of what was sold. Box 1e is the cost basis for that particular transaction matching box 1a.  You state that there is a breakdown between covered and not, that really implies more of a breakdown than everything being lumped together.

Items can be grouped and entered manually but that would be user entry.

If you are using the online version, you may have a piece of data stuck. For stuck information follow these steps:

1. Delete the 1099-B form, see How to Delete  
2. Log out of your return and try one or more of the following:
   • Don't use Internet Explorer.
   • Clear cache and cookies,
   • Sign in using a different browser.
   • Sign in using a different device.
3. Log back into your return.
   • Enter the form 1099-B again.