This regulation requires skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to provide or obtain radiology and other diagnostic services that meet residents' needs, ensuring quality and timeliness. Facilities that operate their own diagnostic services must comply with hospital radiologic services conditions of participation (§482.26), while those that outsource must maintain a written agreement with a Medicare-approved provider or supplier. Surveyors may cite deficiencies for failure to provide or obtain services, inadequate quality or timeliness, lack of a written agreement, or non-compliance with applicable hospital radiologic standards.
View official sourceF776 (Rev. 229; Issued: 04-25-25; Effective: 04-25-25; Implementation: 04-28-25) §483.50(b) Radiology and other diagnostic services. §483.50(b)(1) The facility must provide or obtain radiology and other diagnostic services to meet the needs of its residents. The facility is responsible for the quality and timeliness of the services. (i) If the facility provides its own diagnostic services, the services must meet the applicable conditions of participation for hospitals contained in §482.26 of this subchapter. (ii) If the facility does not provide its own diagnostic services, it must have an agreement to obtain these services from a provider or supplier that is approved to provide these services under Medicare. GUIDANCE §483.50(b)(1)(i)(ii) If the facility provides its own radiologic or other diagnostic services, the services must meet the applicable requirements for radiologic services contained at §482.26 – Conditions of Participation for Hospitals- Radiologic Services. If there are questions or concerns refer to State Agency or CMS Location for appropriate discussion and follow- up with surveyors trained in assessing compliance with §482.26 (i.e., hospital surveyors). If the facility does not provide its own radiologic or diagnostic services, it must have a written agreement to obtain these services from a provider or supplier that is approved to provide these services under Medicare. For concerns regarding this agreement, refer to §483.70(f) - Use of Outside Resources. KEY ELEMENTS OF NONCOMPLIANCE To cite deficient practice at F776, the surveyor’s investigation will generally show that the facility failed to do any one or more of the following: • Provide or obtain radiology or other diagnostic services to meet the needs of its residents: OR • Meet the needs of residents with regard to the quality and/or timeliness of providing radiology or other diagnostic services: OR • Have a written agreement to obtain these services from a provider or supplier that is approved to provide these services under Medicare: OR • If the facility provides its own radiologic or other diagnostic services, the services do not meet the applicable requirements at §482.26.