Laura MacLafferty, Unit Manager |
Birth Center
A birth center is a licensed facility which is not an ambulatory surgical center, a hospital or located within a hospital, in which births are planned to occur away from the mother’s usual place of residence following a normal, uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy.
Licensure Requirements
Facilities must meet license requirements through the submission of a completed application, required documentation, and completion of satisfactory licensure and life safety surveys. The biennial license fee is $376.00 ($387.00 for licenses expiring on or after July 31, 2012) and the annual survey/inspection fee is $250.00. Accredited birth centers must only pay the survey fee in the year surveyed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Letter to providers regarding the 2012 license fee increase.
Special Note to Birth Centers Operating Non-Waived Clinical Laboratories |
State of Florida Certificate of Exemptions previously required to perform clinical laboratory tests in the waived category are no longer issued. For more information, visit the Laboratory Licensure Unit web page for waived laboratories. Effective September 1, 2010, application processing of clinical laboratory licenses (non-waived testing) under the same ownership/control as the birth center will be the responsibility of the Agency's Hospital & Outpatient Services Unit. Unless expiring sooner, clinical laboratory renewal applications will be due when the next birth center renewal application is due and all applications will be reviewed concurrently.
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Initial Application
This includes new facilities and reactivation of an expired license. At least 60 days before the effective date, an applicant must submit a licensure application, fees and supporting documents. When all required information is received and acceptable, licensure and life safety surveys will be scheduled. A license will be issued when documentation of successful licensure and life safety surveys are complete and filed. Please note a valid license is required before services can be provided.
Renewal
To renew a current state license, the licensure application, renewal fee and supporting documents must be submitted to the Agency 120 to 60 days prior to the expiration date. A late fee of $50 per day, up to $500 will be assessed for any application not received 60 days prior to expiration. A renewal application will not be accepted if the license is expired. An initial license application must be filed if the license has expired.
Change of Ownership (CHOW)
Chapter 408.803, Florida Statutes defines "Change of ownership" as: an event in which 51 percent or more of the ownership, shares, membership, or controlling interest of a licensee is in any manner transferred or otherwise assigned. This does not apply to a licensee that is publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange. Also, a change solely in the management company or board of directors is not a change of ownership.
The licensure application, fee and supporting documents must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the date of acquisition of the birth center. Before the application can be approved, a bill of sale or other closing document signed by the buyer and the seller and showing the effective date of the transfer must be received by the Agency.
Other Change During the Licensure Period
A change of physical address requires submission of a Birth Center Licensure Application. Other documents that may be required include the Annual Background Screening Affidavit and documentation verifying the applicant’s right to occupy the premises at the new address (i.e. warrant or quit claim deed; lease or rental agreement).
Voluntary Termination of a License
A licensee must inform the agency not less than 30 days prior to the discontinuance of operation and comply with the requirements listed in Chapter 408.810(4), Florida Statutes.
Applications and Forms
| Form Number | Name | For | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHCA Form 3130-3001 | Birth Center Health Care Licensing Application (Word) Birth Center Health Care Licensing Application (PDF) Please use the form(s) below for licenses expiring on or after July 31, 2012. (Fee increase from $376 to $387.) Birth Center Health Care Licensing Application (Word) Birth Center Health Care Licensing Application (PDF)
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All application types | Standard birth center application required to apply for or modify a birth center license. |
| AHCA Form 3110-1024 | Initial |
Please provide this information to comply with the reporting requirements of Chapter 408, Part 11, Florida Statutes. Use of the form is not required if the same information is provided by other means. | |
| AHCA Form 3100-008 | Affidavit of Compliance with Background Screening Requirements | Initial |
Use this form to document current level 2 background screening performed via another state agency in lieu of submitting a fingerprint card and fee to AHCA. Screening results must be attached. |
| AHCA Form 3170-2004 |
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Initial |
Clinical laboratory licenses under the same ownership/control as the birth center must concurrently submit a clinical laboratory application. |
| Business Articles | Initial CHOW |
Articles of Incorporation or similarly titled document as filed with the Florida Department State. | |
| Proof of right to occupy premises | Initial CHOW Change of Address |
Any documentation verifying the applicant’s right to occupy the premises at the physical address of the birth center (i.e. warrant or quit claim deed; lease or rental agreement). | |
| Compliance with zoning requirements | Initial CHOW Change of Address |
Any documentation from a local government identifying the facility is in compliance with local zoning requirements. | |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Initial due to new construction. Change of address due to new construction. |
Specific documentation from a local government granting the right to occupy a facility. |
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| Management Agreement | Initial CHOW (if applicable) |
Contract between the owner and a management company for management of services. | |
| Closing Document | CHOW | Bill of sale or similar document signed by the buyer and the seller indicating the date of transfer of ownership. | |
| Statement of outstanding deficiencies | CHOW | Statement from the buyer assuring any uncorrected licensure survey deficiencies will be corrected timely. | |
| Statement of outstanding payments | CHOW | Statement from the buyer identifying any outstanding balance owed AHCA, and indicating who will pay and when. | |
| Recommended Form | Birth Center Consent Form | Facility Records | Form for each patient to sign consenting to deliver in a birth center. |
Licensure Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Who Pays | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial, renewal or CHOW Application | $376 ($387 for licenses expiring on or after July 31, 2012) |
Applicant | With application. |
| Survey Fee | $250 | Applicant | For initial applications, fee is to be submitted with the application. For renewal applications, fee is to be submitted upon written notification from the Agency advising the survey has been scheduled and the fee is due. |
| Late Application | $50 per day, up to $500 | All late applications | If an application is not received at least 60 days prior to the anticipated effective date. Payment can be made any time during the application process or upon issuance of a final order. |
Birth Center Annual Report
Each licensed birth center must submit a completed annual report form to the Agency for Health Care Administration no later than July 30 each year.
Birth Center Annual Report Form
Notification of Disposition of Fetal Remains
This form provides the procedures for notification of options available to a mother who has experienced a spontaneous fetal demise of less than 20 weeks gestation. This form, to be used by hospitals and birth centers, is similar to a Department of Health form that would be used by health care practitioners to provide this information. The form is required by section 383.33625, Florida Statutes, the Stephanie Saboor Grieving Parents Act, and section 59A-3.281, Florida Administrative Code.
Disposition of Fetal Remains Form (AHCA Form 3100-006)
Background Screening
A level 2 background screen is required of the administrator responsible for the day to day operations of the facility and the chief financial officer. Please visit the Agency's background screening web page for additional information regarding vendors, fees, locations etc. Background screens must be repeated every 5 years.
Statute/Rule Authority
- Sections 383.30 - 383.335, Florida Statutes
- Chapter 59A-11, Florida Administrative Code
- Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes
- Chapter 59A-35, Florida Administrative Code
Updated April 6, 2012
