Neonatal Designation

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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Statewide Perinatal Designation Meetings

Texas maternal and neonatal levels of care designation program staff are invited to attend our monthly meeting in collaboration with the department and peers throughout the state. Share ideas and best practices to improve patient outcomes for Texans. 

2024 Meetings: 

• Perinatal Level I & II 
• Perinatal Level III & IV 

The 2024 meetings end in November. Stay connected with us by requesting registration below. 

2025 Meetings: 

• Perinatal Level I 
• Perinatal Level II-IV 

Requests to register for the 2025 designation meetings will be processed in December.  

Overview

• Rules: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 133, Subchapter J

Survey Organizations 

For the purposes of neonatal levels of care designation, DSHS will accept survey results from these recognized organizations: 

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) NICU Verification Program: Special Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Advanced Neonatal Intensive Care
• Texas Perinatal Services (TPS): Special Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Advanced Neonatal Intensive Care

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 

Documents

• Applications and Forms
• Frequently Asked Questions from Neonatal (NICU) Designated Facilities
• DSHS Designation Program: Facility Program Contact Update Form 
  Use our online verification system to verify your current contact information (instructions).
• Designation Site Survey Guidelines
• Texas DSHS Designation Survey Organization Application
• Neonatal Medical Record Face Sheet

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

• EMS/Trauma Systems Interactive Map

Facilities

• List of facilities by Designation Level

Resource Documents

• Neonatal Designation Application Submission Dates

These tools may be used to evaluate your facility's compliance with the Neonatal Level of Care you will apply for. 

• Level II Neonatal – Self-Assessment
• Level III Neonatal – Self-Assessment
• Level IV Neonatal – Self-Assessment