Hospitals - Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units

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As defined by Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 510, Section 510.2, a private psychiatric hospital is a hospital that provides 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.

As defined by Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 510, Section 510.2, a crisis stabilization unit is a mental health facility operated by a community center or other entity designated by the Health and Human Services Commission. CSUs provide treatment to individuals who are the subject of a protective custody order issued in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code Section 574.022.

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 577 establishes the state licensing requirements for private psychiatric hospitals and CSUs. Under state law, HHSC is responsible for the licensing and regulation of private psychiatric hospitals and CSUs in Texas, and the Regulatory Services Division within HHSC carries out these duties.

HHSC adopts rules for private psychiatric hospitals and CSUs including establishing standards for:

  • Licensing procedures and fees
  • License denial, probation, suspension, and revocation
  • Ensuring the proper care and treatment of private psychiatric hospital and CSU patients
  • Encouraging private psychiatric hospitals and CSUs to provide inpatient mental health services in ways that are appropriate for the diversity of the state
  • Operational requirements
  • Clinical requirements
  • Inspection, investigation, and enforcement procedures
  • Design, construction, fire prevention, and safety requirements

Laws and Rules

Texas Laws

Rules and Regulations

Find or Verify a License

Licensing

An applicant seeking a private psychiatric hospital or CSU license must submit a completed application, license fee, and other applicable documents to HHSC. The Health Facility Licensing Unit will not process an application until after HHSC Accounts Receivable receives and posts the license fee.

Refer to the application or instructions linked in this section for specific requirements.

HHSC must review and approve all required application materials received before issuing a license to an applicant.

Initial Licensure Applications

Change of Ownership Application

Relocation Applications

Renewal Licensure Applications

Supporting Forms and Documents

Architectural Review Information and Forms

Refer to the Architectural Information page.

Complaint and Incident Submission Information

Inspection Components

HHSC conducts health compliance on-site inspections to determine compliance with the provisions of the Health and Safety Code and associated rules listed in the Laws and Rules section of this page. During the inspection, HHSC staff generally perform the following activities:

  • Conduct an entrance and an exit conference with applicable facility personnel
  • Explain the inspection process and answer questions
  • Review clinical records
  • Review facility and personnel records
  • Review facility policies and procedures
  • Review quality assurance activities
  • Interview staff
  • Assess the facility’s compliance with applicable statutes and rules
  • Discuss final inspection findings with applicable facility personnel

Enforcement Actions

Human Trafficking Resources

Provider Certification

The Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services directs state health agencies or other appropriate agencies to determine whether health care entities meet federal standards. This helping function is termed "provider certification." Health Care Regulation staff are responsible for providing certification oversight on behalf of the CMS for private psychiatric hospitals.

For more information on the certification process, refer to our Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Information page or contact your regional office (PDF).

Private psychiatric hospitals may be certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program.

CSUs may NOT be certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program.

Accreditation

Private psychiatric hospitals may be accredited.

CSUs are not accredited.

Contact Information

Health Care Regulation

For Health Care Regulation contact information, visit our Contact Us page.

Health Care Facility Enforcement

Phone: 512-438-5439
Fax: 5512-438-3697
Email: Health.Facilities.Enforcement@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing Address:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Regulatory Services Division
Health Care Facility Enforcement, MC 1866
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Open Records Requests

Texas Health and Human Services is committed to providing full access to public information. For information on how to submit an open records request, read the Open Records Policy and Procedures.