Emergency Preparedness

Comagine Health ESRD Networks 15 and 18 are required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct emergency preparedness and response activities to assist the renal patient and provider communities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Southern California.

In preparation for emergencies, the Network:

• Encourages dialysis facilities to plan for emergency situations
• Provides technical assistance in the development of emergency plans
• Provides educational materials to the patient and provider community on topics related to emergency/disaster
• Develops an internal Network plan for preparedness and response, including arrangements with backup Networks if local operations are impaired

During emergency responses, and per HIPAA and CMS policy, the Network:

• Disseminates central contact numbers for dialysis providers in the affected area to assist patients and providers in coordinating the provision of dialysis services
• Posts information about open and closed status of facilities on the Network website
• Assists patients with contacting dialysis providers to arrange treatment
• Assists family members with locating displaced patients
• Assists treating facilities with obtaining necessary information to care for patients
• Works with CMS or its contractor to maintain a database tracking system for patient whereabouts (dialysis centers and/or shelter locations)
• Hosts conference calls with CMS, providers, vendors and other entities to coordinate care for patients
• Enacts backup Network arrangements if our Network office operations are compromised.