Non-Hospital Healthcare Providers Affected by CMS Rule Changes
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Emergency Preparedness Rules Integration into the Community Response Plans
On September 8, 2016 the Federal Register posted the final rule Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers. By November 16, 2017, all participating providers and suppliers must have a plan to adequately prepare for both natural and man-made disasters by coordinating with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems. This is to ensure preparedness to meet the needs of patients, residents, clients, and participants during disasters and emergency situations.CATRAC Healthcare Coalition
CATRAC maintains a regional preparedness coalition called the Capital Area Public Health and Medical Preparedness Coalition (CAPHMPC) which brings various agencies and stakeholders together to collaborate on public health and medical concepts regarding preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation for planned events and disasters. The members of CATRAC will be able to provide guidance as you address the four primary tenants of the CMS rules. CATRAC will accept copies of your plans and provide guidance and feedback. CATRAC will not provide an endorsement of your plan nor will we approve them. We can only provide guidance. Participation as a member of CATRAC will allow you to take advantage of several committees such as the Capital Area Public Health and Medical Preparedness Coalition (CAPHMPC), the Regional Preparedness and Response Committee, and the CAPHMPC Exercise Subcommittee. There are other working subcommittees that will provide you with an opportunity to become engaged and will assist you in making contacts and integrating into the regional response capabilities of the region. These committees and subcommittees will not only help you meet the CMS rules but will also assist you in making your facility, patients/clients, staff and visitors safer.EMResource
Previously the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) used a system called the FIVES program for Facility Inventory, Vacancy, and Evacuation Status. This program has been discontinued and EMResource has replaced it. CATRAC has administrative duties for EMResource in the 11-County Region of TSA-O. We ensure that users from our region are given access as needed. The system for the 11-county region houses information to be used in reporting on the licensed facilities – Assisted-Living Facilities, ICF/IIDs, In-Patient Hospice and Nursing Facilities during disasters. EMResource is an interoperable emergency communication salutation that streamlines communications required to prepare for, respond to, and recover from individual and large-scale disasters for the entire emergency services and healthcare spectrum.To get a login for EMResource, please fill-out our EMResource User Request Form.
Benefits of using EMResource:
- Ability to view the status of healthcare facilities in the region including: hospice, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID), long term care facilities, home health agencies, and nursing homes
- Ability to view type and availability of beds in healthcare facilities during an emergency or disaster
- Receive mass notifications and alerts via email and text message
- Utilize the system to participate in drills and exercises to prepare your staff for a real world event
- Available via mobile app
