The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has published an advanced copy of interpretive guidance for its final emergency preparedness rule for healthcare providers.

The rule will be in effect on Nov. 15. The advanced copy will “vary slightly” from the final version, CMS said. The agency had previously urged providers not to put off planning their emergency training exercises until the guidance was released, noting that waiting for the guidance “is not necessary nor is it advised.” “The interpretive guidelines and survey procedures in this appendix have been developed to support the adoption of a standard all-hazards emergency preparedness program for all certified providers and suppliers while similarly including appropriate adjustments to address the unique differences of the other providers and suppliers and their patients,” the memo reads.

Hospice specific section of the advanced copy of the interpretive guidance for its final emergency preparedness rule is attached.

I also wrote an article on this topic that is on our website http://www.leadingage.org/regulation/emergency-preparedness-guidance-home-health-and-hospice