C.A.R.E.

Compliance • Audits/Analysis • Reimbursement/Regulatory • Education/Efficiency

Be Prepared sign with sky background We spent the last few blog posts discussing F-Tags. Let’s shift gears and look at E-Tags. The Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers was implemented November 15, 2017. This set of tags are utilized to cite non-compliance during initial, re-certification and complaint surveys.

The intent is for the Nursing Facility to have a planned response in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Examples include earthquake, flood, hurricane or tornado. Cleary, the geographical location of the facility influences the propensity of certain risk areas. All of which need to be addressed in the facility assessment.

I recently attended the AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. NCAL offered the below summary of the most frequently cited E-tags:

Tag No.	Tag Description	No. Citations
E-0035	LTC and ICF/IID Sharing Plan with Patients	27
E-0001	Establishment of the Emergency Program (EP)	22
E-0039	Emergency Prep Testing Requirements	21
E-0024	Policies/Procedures Volunteers and Staffing	19
E-0026	Roles Under a Waiver Declared by Secretary	19
E-0009	Local, State, Tribal Collaboration Process	15
E-0018	Procedures for Tracking of Staff and Patients	15
E-0037	Emergency Prep Training Program	15
E-0029	Development of Communication Plan	14
E-0013	Development of EP Policies and Procedures	13
E-0015	Subsistence Needs for Staff and Patients	13
E-0031	Emergency Officials Contact Information	13

Source: NCAL

There are approximately 27 different E-tags that facilitates can be cited under related to their emergency preparedness programs. The below table offer you a glance at the different categories the E-tags are placed.

E-Tags for Long-Term Care Facility
Emergency Preparedness Plans

Establishing a Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Program

Emergency Preparedness Policies & Procedures

Emergency Preparedness Communication Plan

Emergency Preparedness Training & Testing

Emergency & Standby
Power System Requirements

E-0001

E-0004

E-0006

E-0007

E-0009

E-0013

E-0015

E-0018

E-0019

E-0020

E-0022

E-0023

E-0024

E-0025

E-0026

E-0029

E-0030

E-0031

E-0032

E-0033

E-0034

E-0035

E-0036

E-0037

E-0039

E-0041

E-0042

Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) is here to help. We understand how much work is involved for you and your staff to run an efficient, compliant, and fiscally sound facility.

Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) can:

Identify areas of risk and opportunity
Education on rules and regulations
Implement Systems (QAPI)
Monitor progress and performance

Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) performs monthly compliance audits. If you need help with this area, please contact us by clicking here. Looking to train your staff? Join us in person at one of our our upcoming Competency/Certification Courses. Click here to see the dates and locations.