Maternal and Neonatal Center Designation

The Department of Community Health (DCH) provides hospitals with a Certificate of Need (CON) to provide Level I, II, or III perinatal services. The criteria for each level of care are defined by DCH. Hospitals apply for a CON when they open a perinatal service and if they want to be approved for a higher level of care. Hospitals demonstrate in the application process that they can provide that level of care.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) verifies that hospitals have the capability to provide Level I, II, III, or IV neonatal and maternal services. DPH will not verify a hospital at a higher level of care than they are authorized to provide through CON. Hospital participation in the DPH verification process is voluntary.

For neonatal verification, the criteria for each level of care are based on the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national standards. Hospitals seeking neonatal verification through DPH complete a site survey led by AAP every three years.

For maternal verification, the criteria for each level of care are based on the current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) national standards. Hospitals seeking maternal verification through DPH complete a site survey led by The Joint Commission every three years.

Levels of Care

Levels of maternal and neonatal care provide guidelines that help ensure mothers and infants receive care in a facility that has the personnel and resources appropriate for their level of risk.

DPH requirements for each level of care are listed in Georgia Rules and Regulations 511-5-13. These levels are based on publications from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and guidelines (2023) from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, The Joint Commission (TJC), the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now have a collaborative initiative to help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity along with improving outcomes for high-risk newborns.

Application Information:

  • Level I Maternal and Neonatal Center Designations Application Information

    Level I Maternal and Neonatal Center Designations Application Information


    Hospitals seeking a designation as a Level 1 Maternal Center should contact The Joint Commission Maternal Verification Program at, The Joint Commission. 


    Level I hospitals seeking designation as a Neonatal Center should contact
    [email protected]  The AAP does not survey Level I Neonatal Centers.  


    Fees 


    There is no fee for Level I hospitals seeking designation.  DPH covers the on-site survey and three year annual fee from The Joint Commission. 

  • Level II, Level III, and Level IV Maternal Center Designation Application Information

    Level II, Level III, and Level IV Maternal Center Designation Application Information 


    Hospitals seeking designation as a Level II, Level III, or Level IV Maternal Center will apply to The Joint Commission (TJC) Maternal Verification Program.  Hospitals will submit a preliminary application (The Joint Commission), complete a Pre-Review Questionnaire, and host a multidisciplinary team for a site survey.  Within 90 days of the site survey, hospitals will submit an application to DPH, which must include the site survey report.  DPH will issue the final determination.    


    Fees 


    DPH has a partnership with TJC to cover a portion of the cost of the survey.  This is based on the level of survey needed.  

  • Level II, Level III, and Level IV Neonatal Center Designation Application Information

    Level II, Level III, and Level IV Neonatal Center Designation Application Information 


    Hospitals seeking designation as a Level II, Level III, or Level IV Neonatal Center will apply to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) NICU Verification Program. Hospitals will submit a preliminary application, complete a Pre-Review Questionnaire, and host a multidisciplinary team for a site survey. Within 90 days of the site survey, hospitals will submit an application to DPH, which must include the site survey report.  DPH will issue the final determination.  


    Fees 


    DPH has a partnership with AAP to cover a portion of the cost of the survey.  This is based on the level of survey needed.  

Facilities:

  • Designated Maternal Facilities

    Level I Maternal Facilities

    Coffee Regional Medical Center

    1101 Ocilla Road,

    Douglas, GA  31534 

    Expires 12/15/2026

    Saint Francis Hospital Emory

    2122 Manchester Expressway,

    Columbus GA. 31904

    Expires 12/12/2026

    Level II Maternal Facilities

    Archbold Memorial Hospital 

    Gordon Avenue at Mimosa Drive

    Thomasville, GA 31792

    Expires 10/03/2026

    Colquitt Regional Medical Center

    3131 South Main Street

    Moultrie, GA 31768

    Expires 10/04/2026

    Crisp Regional Hospital

    902 North 7th Street,

    Cordele, GA. 31015

    Expires 10/20/2026

    Upson Regional Medical Center

    801 W Gordon St.

    Thomaston, GA  30286

    Expires 12/11/26

    Level III Maternal Facilities

    Northside Hospital Cherokee

    450 Northside Cherokee Boulevard

    Canton, GA  30115

    Expires 07/25/2026

    *Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital

    417 W 3rd Ave

    Albany, GA  31701

    Expires 10/27/2024

    Wellstar Cobb Medical Center

    3950 Austell Rd. SW

    Austell, GA  31534-1121 

    Expires 03/22/2027

    Level IV Maternal Facilities

    Northside Hospital

    1000 Johnson Ferry Road NE 

    Atlanta, GA 30342

    Expires 8/29/2025

    Wellstar MCG Health

    1120 15th St.

    Augusta, GA 30912

    Expires 08/17/2026

    *Level IV designation was not available at the time of application.

  • Designated Neonatal Facilities

    Level I and Level II Neonatal Facilities-NONE

    Level III Neonatal Facilities

    *Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital

    417 W 3rd Ave

    Albany, GA  31701

    Expires 02/02/2025

    Level IV Neonatal Facilities

    Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston

    1405 Clifton Road, NE

    Atlanta, GA 30322

    Expires 09/14/2026

    *Level IV designation was not available at the time of application.

Questions? Contact [email protected] in the Maternal/Neonatal Designation Program

 

Page last updated 1/18/2024