Two Updates on the Emergency Preparedness Rule

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Update

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Group provided general information regarding the implementation plans for the new Emergency Preparedness Rule to State Survey Agency Directors. The information covers the implementation date for providers and suppliers as well as the development of Interpretive Guidelines (IGs) and surveyor training and resources that will be available by the spring of 2017. This new regulation impacts 17 providers that include nursing homes, home care, hospice, and PACE programs. This rule needs to be fully implemented in one year, by November 2017.

Included in the memorandum are links to resources from the CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN) call in October that covered the regulation and addressed some questions. The audio recording and written transcript are both available on the MLN Connects National Provider Calls and Events webpage. There is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document as well. 

As we have reported, the federal rule requires nursing homes, home care, hospice, and PACE programs to develop, maintain, and update annually the following items: an emergency preparedness plan, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing.

LeadingAge NY continues to work with the Department of Health (DOH) on implementing this new regulation.

November Aware Prepare Update

DOH has posted the November 2016 Office of Health Emergency Preparedness Aware Prepare Update. The Aware Prepare Update provides information on upcoming trainings related to preparedness. These trainings may be provided in one or more of the following formats: live webcasts, webinars, and in-person training; or archived webcasts, webinars, and on-demand eLearning. This a great resource for members.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871