CMS Releases Updated Emergency Preparedness Guidance

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 03/12/2026 07:35:01
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updated Health Care Provider Guidance to strengthen emergency preparedness across care settings, including long-term care. The update reinforces the importance of effective planning, coordination, and ongoing readiness to protect residents, staff, and communities before, during, and after emergencies. The guidance aligns with current long-term care requirements under Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual, and no regulatory or surveyor guidance changes were made.

CMS highlights several key priorities: conducting a comprehensive Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) using an all-hazards approach, strengthening mitigation strategies, ensuring regular training and emergency exercises, and maintaining strong coordination with community partners such as public health agencies and health care coalitions.

Long-term care facilities must continue to review emergency preparedness programs annually and conduct two exercises each year under §483.73. Providers may wish to use this update as an opportunity to reassess HVAs, review communication protocols, and strengthen staff preparedness.
Additional resources and tools are available through ASPR TRACIE and AHCA emergency preparedness resources.
See the full AHCA NCAL blog post

Staff contact: mcarland[at]mehca.org