By: Sharon Parsley
It is not news that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have rocked Texas and the Florida mainland, and Irma has left unimaginable damage throughout the Caribbean and Florida Keys. During both hurricanes, considerable media attention was directed to how well hospitals and other sub-acute care providers in the affected areas were prepared for and responded to these events. When coupled with the loss of multiple lives occurring at the Rehab Center at Hollywood Hills, seemingly due, at least in part, to exposure to extremely elevated temperatures during an extended power outage, emergency readiness should be near the top of every health care provider and supplier agenda. Providers and suppliers should also be mindful of a rapidly approaching regulatory deadline Medicare requirement for continued participation on the topic of emergency preparedness.
While the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers regulation (the “EP Reg”) was published in the Federal Register in September of 2016, providers and suppliers falling into one of 17 categories are required to comply with the EP Reg on or before November 16, 2017. Among those provider and supplier types affected are hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, home health agencies, and certain clinics and rehabilitation service providers. Continue reading