11/17/16  Portland, Ore.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy shared information that critical access hospitals (CAHs), as well as 16 other health care provider types, must meet emergency preparedness regulation requirements.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy shared information that critical access hospitals (CAHs), as well as 16 other health care provider types, must meet emergency preparedness regulation requirements. Per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website:

On September 8, 2016, the Federal Register posted the final rule Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers. The regulation goes into effect on November 16, 2016. Health care providers and suppliers affected by this rule must comply and implement all regulations one year after the effective date, on November 16, 2017.

Purpose: To establish national emergency preparedness requirements to ensure adequate planning for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordination with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems. The following information will apply upon publication of the final rule:

• Requirements will apply to all 17 provider and supplier types.
• Each provider and supplier will have its own set of Emergency Preparedness regulations incorporated into its set of conditions or requirements for certification.
• Must be in compliance with Emergency Preparedness regulations to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid program. The below downloadable sections will provide additional information, such as the background and overview of the final rule and related resources.

Numerous resources exist to support the regulation, including guidance for surveyors:

List of 17 Provider Types included in Regulation

Table of Requirements by Provider Type, including CAHs

Example Facility Transfer Agreement

FAQs for Surveyors

Numerous other resources to assist health care providers to implement such resources:

• All states have consortia or coalitions that are state and federally funded to support emergency preparedness, including with health care providers. Find the one in your state or region on the List of Emergency Preparedness Coalitions By State.
• The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR) supports a Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway called TRACIE (Technical Resources Assistance Centers Information Exchange). This resource center contains specific tools and resources for meeting the emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid participating providers and suppliers.
• The Uniformed Services University supports the National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health which serves as the nation's academic center of excellence for education, training and educational research in disaster medicine and public health preparedness. The site contains news, resources, field resources and reports.

Please contact Stacie Rothwell, Field Services Program Manager, (971) 235-3978, rothwels@ohsu.edu, with additional questions.