Hospital Licensing

• Initial Application
• Hospital License Application Guidance
• Duplicate/Reissue Form
  

Hospital licenses are renewed annually and expire on December 31st.

An application for a hospital license must meet the requirements in:

• Hospital Licensure Regulations​​​​​ (Title 175 Chapter 9)
  
• Health Care Facility Licensure Act

Requirements include:

• Submit a written application
• Submit required documentation and fees
• Pass an onsite inspection prior to patient use and occupancy

Notes:

A hospital may not operate until the inspection has been completed and the Department determines a license can be issued.

A change in location or ownership of the facility voids the license. A new license is required prior ot providing patient care and services.

Title 175 Chapter 9​: Regulations Governing Licensure of Hospitals​

Initial and Renewal Licensure Fees:

• 1 to 50 Beds $1,750
• 51 to 100 Beds $1,850
• 101 or more Beds $1,950

All hospitals must also pay with their renewal licensure fee an additional fee under the Outpatient Surgical Procedures Data Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 81-6,111 to 81-6,119, as follows:

• (1) 500 or fewer outpatient surgeries per year $275
• (2) 501 to 2,000 outpatient surgeries per year $350
• (3) More than 2,000 outpatient surgeries per year $425

Duplicate of original license: $10

Refunds for denied applications:

• If the Department did not perform an inspection, the license fee is refunded except for an administrative fee of $25; or
• If the Department performed an inspection, the fee is not refunded.
  

A facility must notify the Department in writing of the following changes:

• Change in facility ownership (within 10 working days)
• Change in facility location (within 10 working days)
• Change in facility name (within 10 working days)
• Change in facility administrator (within 5 working days), and/or:
• New construction or remodeling (prior to the start of construction)
• Bed increases or decreases (30 days prior)
• Addition or deletion of offsite practice locations (30 days prior)
• Addition or deletion of specific types of services (30 days prior)

Please submit your written change notices on facility letterhead/signed by a facility officer to:

DHHS Public Health – Licensure Unit
Acute Care Facilities Office
PO Box 94669
Lincoln, NE 68508-4669

OR you can submit the signed letter via email to: DHHS.acutecarefacilities@nebraska.gov.  

The Department conducts onsite inspections of hospitals in accordance with 175 NAC 9 Regulations Governing the Licensure of Hospitals​​​​ and in accordance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) mandates.

Per 175 NAC 9, the Department may conduct an onsite inspection of the facility at any of the following times:

• Prior to issuing an initial license
• Prior to use and occupancy at new facilities or where there's been new construction
• At any time to determine compliance with the health clinic licensure regulations or for any of the following reasons:
  - An occurrence resulting in patient death or serious physical harm
  - An  occurrence resulting in imminent danger to or the possibility of death or serious physical harm to patients
  - An accident or natural disaster resulting in damage to the facility that would have a direct or immediate adverse effect on the health, safety, and security of patients
  - The passage of five years without an onsite inspection
  - A complaint alleging violation of the Health Care Facility Licensure Act or 175 NAC 7
  - Complaints that  raise concerns about the maintenance, operation, or management of the health clinic
  - Financial instability of the licensee or of the licensee's parent company
  - Outbreaks or recurrent incidents of physical health problems such as dehydration, pressure sores, or other illnesses
  - Change of services, management, or ownership
  - Change of status of accreditation or certification on which licensure is based as provided in 175 NAC 7-004.08
  - Any other event that raises concerns about the maintenance, operation, or management of the health clinic.

Results of inspections/surveys and other facility related information can be found at:

• CMS Hospital Compare
• Federal Hospital Complaint Inspections