CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Rule

CMS Mission

Enable Federal, State, Tribal, Regional, and local governmental agencies, and health care providers to respond to every emergency in a timely, collaborative, organized, and effective manner.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Group (SCG) has developed this site to provide useful information to CMS Central and Regional Offices, State Survey Agencies (SAs), their State, Tribal, Regional, and local emergency partners, and health care providers, for developing effective and robust emergency plans and responses. This Web site provides information and tools, utilizing an "all hazards" approach for disruptive events such as:

• Pandemic flu (e.g., H1N1 influenza virus)
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Fires
• Earthquakes
• Power outages
• Chemical spills
• Nuclear or biological terrorist attack
• Etc.

​CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule

If your facility accepts Medicare and/or Medicaid you are required to be compliant by November 15, 2017.

• Emergency Plan: Develop an emergency plan based on an "all hazards" approach using a risk assessment.
• Policies and Procedures: Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the plan and risk assessment.
• Communications Plan: Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with both Federal and State law.
• A Training and Testing Program: Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial training and annual trainings, and conduct drills and exercises. *Two per year required*