Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units

Private psychiatric hospitals provide inpatient mental health services to individuals with mental illness or with a substance use disorder except that, at all times, a majority of the individuals admitted are individuals with a mental illness. Services include psychiatric assessment and diagnostic services, physician services, professional nursing services, and monitoring for patient safety provided in a restricted environment.

Crisis stabilization units are mental health facilities operated by a community center or other entity designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. They provide treatment to individuals who are the subject of a protective custody order.

The Facility Licensing Group is responsible for developing rules that establish minimum standards for licensing procedures, operational requirements, standards for voluntary agreements, enforcement procedures, fire prevention and safety requirements, and physical plant and construction requirements for private psychiatric hospitals and crisis stabilization units.

Accreditation

Applying for an initial private psychiatric hospital or crisis stabilization unit license

Audit Tools

Data - Hospital Licensing

Directories for Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units

Fees

Medicare Information

Patient Bill of Rights

Accreditation

Private psychiatric hospitals may be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).
Crisis stabilization units are not accredited.

Applying for an initial private psychiatric hospital or crisis stabilization unit license

The application process involves several Department of State Health Services work groups:

• Health Facility Licensing Group staff who review the application and required documents for deficiencies. Refer to the application form for fee amount, mailing address and instructions.
• Health Facility Compliance Group staff who are responsible for conducting a pre- survey conference and surveying the facility for compliance with the provisions on Texas laws and regulations. Refer to the application form for timelines.
• Architectural Review Group staff who are responsible for approving final construction documents, plans and specifications, as well as, conducting inspections. Click here for more information on the architectural review process.

Audit Tools

Audit tools are provided for use by your facility in preparation for a state licensure and/or Medicare certification survey. We suggest you conduct an audit of your facility’s compliance to standards of licensure and/or certification prior to the scheduled or unannounced survey.

Data -Hospital Licensing

Counting methodology - Beginning December 5, 2000, the department began counting the number of licensed hospitals by the number of hospital buildings licensed, instead of the count of license numbers issued.

Other hospital and health-related data for Texas – Link to DSHS Center for Health Statistics.

Fees

Application fee for initial and change of ownership:
$200 per bed with a $6000 minimum
Application fees are not refundable.

Medicare Information

Private psychiatric hospitals may be certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) directs state health agencies or other appropriate agencies to determine if health care entities meet federal standards. This helping function is termed "provider certification." Health Facility Compliance Group staff is responsible for certifying hospitals. For more information on the certification process, refer to Rules/Regulation link on right-hand side menu box or contact your zone office. See the City-Region-Zone List to find your appropriate zone office.
Crisis stabilization units may NOT be certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program.

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Facillity Licensing Program
1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - (512) 834-6646

Last Updated September 4, 2008