Last September, the Federal Register posted the final rule, Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers. This rule went into effect on November 15, 2016 and will be implemented on November 15, 2017. [i]
The final rule establishes national emergency preparedness requirements to ensure healthcare providers and suppliers affected by the rule are adequately planning for both natural and man-made disasters and coordinating with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. In addition, the final rule sets guidelines for how providers and suppliers can adequately prepare to meet the needs of patients, residents, clients, and participants during disasters or emergency situations. [ii]