In 2013, House Bill 15 was passed during the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session. The purpose of the bill was to create level of care designations for hospitals that provide neonatal and maternal services. During the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, House Bill 3433 amended Health and Safety Code, Chapter 241. The purpose of the bill was to develop initial rules for neonatal/maternal level of care designation. The hospital level of care designations for neonatal and maternal care rules went into effect on June 9, 2016.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has the authority to designate facilities. The Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Section of DSHS works with hospitals, survey organizations, and the Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) to:
- Develop facility designation protocols,
- Develop policies, and
- Designate facilities in the state.
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Neonatal System Development
Overview
Survey Organizations
Advisory Council and Subcommittee
- Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC)
Created by House Bill 15 of the 83rd Texas Legislature (Regular Session), the PAC examines utilization trends in neonatal and maternal care and recommends ways to improve neonatal and maternal outcomes.
- The Centers of Excellence for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
The Centers of Excellence for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy subcommittee advises the PAC and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in the development of rules to establish the criteria a health care entity or program in the state of Texas will have to meet to receive designation as a Center of Excellence for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
Neonatal Facility Designation
Documents
Fees
The non-refundable neonatal application fees for a three-year designation period are as follows:
- Level I neonatal facility application fees are as follows:
- <=100 licensed beds fee is $250.00; or
- >100 licensed beds fee is $750.00.
- Level II neonatal facility application fee is $1,500.00.
- Level III neonatal facility application fee is $2,000.00.
- Level IV neonatal facility application fee is $2,500.00.
Map
Facilities
Resource Documents
These tools may be used to evaluate your facilities compliance with the Neonatal Level of Care that you will be applying for.
Provider training webinars: Recordings of the training are listed below. Each link will take you to a page where you must enter your name and email address to access the video.
Webinar recordings:
Neonatal Application Packet Submission and Completion of the Self Audit Tool- September 14, 2016
View System Requirements
PowerPoint presentations from webinars:
Get In Touch
By Email
DSHS.EMS-TRAUMA@dshs.texas.gov
By Mail
Send mail correspondence to:
Person's name
Texas Department of State Health Services
EMS/Trauma Systems
Attn: Neonatal Designation Program
PO Box 149347 MC 1876
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Staff Contacts
For designation process or rule clarification, please contact:
Perinatal Designation Coordinators
Debbie Lightfoot, R.N. - (512) 987-0565
Debra.Lightfoot@DSHS.texas.gov
Designation Program Manager
Elizabeth Stevenson, R.N. - (512) 284-1132
Elizabeth.Stevenson@dshs.texas.gov