On September 8, 2016, the Federal Register posted the final rule Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Agencies. This is required of all 17 Medicare provider and supplier types including Home Health and Hospice Agencies.Agencies must comply will all applicable Federal, State and local Emergency Preparedness requirements.
Implementation of the new regulation 484.102 Emergency Preparednesswas initiated on November 15, 2016. Agencies are expected to be compliant of the new regulation effective November 15, 2017.
Agencies must develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan that includes four (4) Required Elements.
These required elements are:
- Emergency plan
- Policies and Procedures
- Communication plan
- Training and testing program
Contact an ICS home health consultant to find out more information on what your agency will need in order to be compliant and/or to assist with developing your agency’s Emergency Preparedness Plan.