42 CFR § 485.518 - Condition of participation: Laboratory services.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s485.518"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 485.518 - Condition of participation: Laboratory services."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "485.518"
section_name: "Condition of participation: Laboratory services."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION"
part_number: "485"
part_name: "CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: SPECIALIZED PROVIDERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395(hh)."
regulatory_source: "48 FR 56293, Dec. 15, 1982, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 50 FR 33034, Aug. 16, 1985."
cfr_part: "485"
---


# 485.518 Condition of participation: Laboratory services.

The REH must provide basic laboratory services essential to the immediate diagnosis and treatment of the patient consistent with nationally recognized standards of care for emergency services, patient population, and services offered. The REH must ensure that—

(a) Laboratory services are available, either directly or through a contractual agreement with a certified laboratory that meets requirements of part 493 of this chapter.

(b) Emergency laboratory services are available 24 hours a day.