Home health agencies and hospices are among the 17 types of providers and suppliers that may have to comply with CMS’ proposed rule that would impose national emergency preparedness requirements on Medicare and Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers. The proposed rule, which was published in the Dec. 27 Federal Register at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-12-27/pdf/2013-30724.pdf  is intended to ensure that providers plan adequately for both natural and man-made disasters and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. Comments must be submitted to CMS by 5 p.m. E.T. on February 25, 2014 to be considered. The rule will be covered in more depth in a future issue of Home Health Line.