What You Need to Know About the Proposed Rule Changes to CMS
- Emergency preparedness plans need to be updated “at least every two years” instead of the current annual requirement.
- “Cooperation and collaboration” must still occur, but the requirements to document attempts at such cooperation and collaboration would be eliminated.
- Facilities would have to provide training on the emergency plan every two years, not annually.
- The exercise requirement has been clarified and, in the case of out-patient facilities, relaxed.
- CMS has proposed other rules changes too, besides those for Emergency Preparedness. Review the proposed changes for your provider type by looking at the Table of Contents here.
- These rules are proposed, and will not take effect until well after a 60-day comment period expires.
- You should feel free to submit comments on these proposed changes.
- While accreditation organizations like The Joint Commission, CHAP, AAAHP, and others are still adjusting their requirements to reflect CMS regulations, they may not be as quick to relax them. You need to follow the standards for the highest accreditation you seek.
- Please refer to file code CMS-3346-P. Because of staff and resource limitations, CMS cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
- Submit comments electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this regulation here.
Continue reading more on this subject in our five-part series!
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