In 2013, House Bill 15 was passed during the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session. The purpose of the bill was to develop initial rules for level of care designations for hospitals that provide maternal services. The hospital level of care designations for maternal care rules went into effect on March 1, 2018.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has the authority to designate facilities. The EMS/Trauma Systems Section of DSHS works with hospitals, Perinatal Care Regions (PCRs) and the Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) to:
- Improve maternal patient care and outcomes,
- Develop hospital requirements for facility designation, and
- Establish regional coordination of maternal care.
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Maternal Levels of Care Development
Overview
Survey Organizations
Advisory Council
- 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.
Maternal Levels of Care Designation
Documents
Fees
The non-refundable maternal application fees for a three-year designation period are as follows:
- Level I maternal facility application fees are as follows:
- <=100 licensed beds fee is $250.00; or
- >100 licensed beds fee is $750.00.
- Level II maternal facility application fee is $1,500.00.
- Level III maternal facility application fee is $2,000.00.
- Level IV maternal facility application fee is $2,500.00.
Map
Facilities
Resource Documents
The following tools may be used to evaluate your facility's compliance according to the Maternal Level of Care you are seeking.
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:
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: Maternal 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