F-Tag (CMS Survey Citation)
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
F-Tag is the citation code system used by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) state surveyors to identify deficiencies in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospices, and other certified Medicare/Medicaid providers. Each F-Tag corresponds to a specific regulatory requirement under 42 CFR Part 483 (long-term care), Part 484 (home health), or Part 418 (hospice). The codes range from F540 (Resident Rights) to F947 and beyond. Surveyors document deficiencies on Form CMS-2567, citing the F-Tag, the scope and severity (combined into a letter grade A through L), and the required corrective action plan timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the F-Tag scope and severity grid?
CMS uses a 4-by-3 matrix combining scope (isolated, pattern, widespread) with severity (no actual harm with potential for minimal harm; no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm; actual harm; immediate jeopardy). The combination produces a letter grade A through L. A through C are no-harm citations; D through F are pattern or widespread no-harm; G through I are actual harm; J through L are immediate jeopardy.
What are the most-cited F-Tags for nursing homes?
Recent national CMS data shows top F-Tag citations including: F689 (Free of Accident Hazards/Adequate Supervision), F684 (Quality of Care), F600 (Free from Abuse and Neglect), F656 (Comprehensive Care Plans), F580 (Notification of Changes), F761 (Label/Store Drugs and Biologicals), F812 (Food Procurement, Store/Prepare/Serve - Sanitary), F880 (Infection Prevention and Control). Top F-Tag rankings shift with regulatory focus.
How long does a facility have to correct F-Tag deficiencies?
Plan of Correction (POC) deadlines vary by severity. Immediate jeopardy citations require immediate removal — corrected before survey exit or face termination. Substandard quality of care must be corrected within 23 days. Other deficiencies typically have a 60-day correction window. Civil money penalties may accrue per day until correction.
How can a facility appeal F-Tag findings?
Per 42 CFR 498, facilities may appeal CMS determinations through informal dispute resolution (IDR) within 10 days of survey, then through Independent IDR (IIDR) for civil money penalty cases. Appeals proceed to administrative law judge hearings, then the Departmental Appeals Board. Appeals are limited to specific deficiency findings — they do not pause corrective action requirements.
Authoritative sources
Related terms
FileFlo classifies and tracks compliance documents against rule packs that map directly to the regulators referenced above. Run a free CFR-cited audit →