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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
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 577, Private Mental Hospitals and Other Mental Health Facilities
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 222, Health Care Facility Survey, Construction, Inspection, and Regulation (Private Psychiatric Hospitals Only)
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 321, Provision of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, and Rehabilitation Services
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 322, Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Certain Health Facilities
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 571, General Provisions
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 572, Voluntary Mental Health Services
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 573, Emergency Detention
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 574, Court-Ordered Mental Health Services
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 575, Admission and Transfer Procedures for Inpatient Services
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 576, Rights of Patients
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 578, Electroconvulsive and Other Therapies
Rules and Regulations
- Texas Administrative Code Title 26 Part 1 Chapter 510, Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units
- Texas Administrative Code Title 26 Part 1 Chapter 568, Standards of Care and Treatment in Psychiatric Hospitals
- Texas Administrative Code Title 26 Part 1 Chapter 306, Subchapter B, Standards of Care in CSUs
- Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 404, Subchapter E, Rights of Persons Receiving Mental Health Services
- Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 405, Subchapter E, Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 415, Subchapter F, Interventions in Mental Health Services
- Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 414, Subchapter I, Consent to Treatment with Psychoactive Medication
- Medical Disclosure Laws and Rules
- Federal Regulations:
- Medicare/Medicaid State Operations Manual - Publication 100-07
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 42 Chapter IV, Subchapter G, Part 482, Conditions of Participation for Hospitals
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 42 Chapter IV, Subchapter B, Part 412, Prospective Payment Systems for Inpatient Hospital Services
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 42 Chapter IV, Subchapter G, Part 489, Provider Agreements and Supplier Approval (Specifically Sections 489.20 and 489.24)
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 42 Chapter IV, Subchapter G, Part 485, Subpart F, Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation
Find or Verify a License
- Verify a facility license by searching the Online Licensing System
- View the accessible version of the Directory of Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units (Excel)
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
- Form 3216, Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3218, Multiple Location Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3263, Crisis Stabilization Unit License Application
Change of Ownership Application
- Change of Ownership Instructions (PDF)
- Form 3216, Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3218, Multiple Location Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3263, Crisis Stabilization Unit License Application
Relocation Applications
- Form 3216, Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3218, Multiple Location Psychiatric Hospital License Application
- Form 3263, Crisis Stabilization Unit License Application
Renewal Licensure Applications
- Form 3217, Psychiatric Hospital License Renewal Application
- Form 3219, Multiple Location Psychiatric Hospital License Renewal Application
- Form 3231, Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) License Renewal Application
Supporting Forms and Documents
- Form 3255, Fire Safety Survey Report for Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units (PDF)
- CMS Hospital Database Worksheet
- Hospital Closure Instructions (PDF)
Architectural Review Information and Forms
Refer to the Architectural Information page.
Complaint and Incident Submission Information
- Incidents Submission Portal for Health Care Regulation Providers page
- File a Complaint for a Health Facility page
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.