CMS issues FAQs on emergency preparedness rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted answers to Frequently Asked Questions received in response to its final rule establishing new emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid-participating health care facilities. Additional questions related to the final rule, issued in September, may be sent to SCGEmergencyPrep@cms.hhs.gov. Next spring, CMS anticipates issuing interpretive guidance for the rule, which hospitals and other affected entities must implement by Nov. 15, 2017. For more on the rule, see the recent AHA Regulatory Advisory for members, or visit https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/cmsrule.