Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Issue Date: November 05, 2019

Emergency Preparedness Rule

Quality, Safety & Oversight Group- Emergency Preparedness Regulation Guidance

Guidance for Surveyors, Providers and Suppliers Regarding the New Emergency Preparedness (EP) Rule

On September 8, 2016 CMS published in the Federal Register the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule. The regulation became effective November 16, 2016. Health care providers and suppliers affected by this rule were to be compliant and implement all regulations one year after the effective date, on November 15, 2017.

On September 30, 2019 CMS published in the Federal Register the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions To Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction; Fire Safety Requirements for Certain Dialysis Facilities; Hospital and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Changes To Promote Innovation, Flexibility, and Improvement in Patient Care Final Rule which revised some of the emergency preparedness requirements for providers and suppliers.

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.

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DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.