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Hospitals and health systems accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations are getting ready for the first truly unannounced, no-appointment-necessary, on-site surveys. Under the new policy, JCAHO surveyors can show up anytime between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2006. The only warning facilities will get is a 7:00 a.m. e-mail notification on the morning of the survey.

Confused patients lacking drug plan ID cards, an overwhelmed electronic eligibility system, and excruciatingly long waits on help desk phone calls marred the debut of the Medicare Part D, according to frustrated retail pharmacists reporting from the trenches.

CMS has set up a dedicated telephone help line for pharmacists with Part D problems at 1-(866) 835-7595, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CMS has set up a dedicated telephone help line for pharmacists with Part D problems at 1-(866) 835-7595, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Officials stressed that pharmacists should not give the phone number to patients or advocacy groups. Pharmacists who have questions about dual eligibles or WellPoint should phone 1-(800) 662-0210, and those trying to check whether a Medicare patient is enrolled in Part D should phone 1-(800) 388-2316.

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Pharmacists trying to help elderly patients find their way through the Medicare Part D maze report that many seniors feel like that old song: "Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered."