Section 471-42-001 - STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATIONMedicaid covers facility services provided by non-hospital freestanding birth centers. To participate in Medicaid, a freestanding birth center must:
1. Be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, as a facility providing labor and delivery services and not licensed as another type of health care facility and maintain standards of care required by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health for licensure.2. The center must have a written agreement for emergency care with a hospital that provides obstetrical services or each medical practitioner practicing at the facility must have admitting privileges at a transferring hospital.3. Admissions to the facility must be restricted to uncomplicated (low-risk) patients. Planned caesarean section procedures are prohibited.4. Each mother and newborn must be discharged within 24 hours after admission, in a condition which will allow or not endanger the well-being of either. If the condition of mother or newborn does not allow discharge within 24 hours, then transfer to a hospital must occur.5. The birth center must be enrolled and approved by the Department or its designee for participation in Medicaid.6. The birth attendant must be licensed at the time and place the services are provided and must be enrolled and approved by the Department or its designee for participation in Medicaid. 001.01 Definition of a Freestanding Birth Center A Freestanding Birth Center means a health facility-
1. That is not a hospital;2. Where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman's residence;3. That is licensed or otherwise approved by the State to provide prenatal labor and delivery or postpartum care and other ambulatory services; and4. That complies with such other requirements relating to the health and safety of individuals furnished services by the facility as the State shall establish.001.02 Definition of a Birth Attendant A birth attendant means an individual who is licensed by the State to provide health care at childbirth and who provides such care within the scope of practice under which the individual is legally authorized to perform such care under State law.
001.03 Provider Agreement The provider must complete and sign Form MC-19, "Medical Assistance Provider Agreement," (see 471-000-90) and submit it to the Department to be approved for provider enrollment.
471 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 42, § 001