South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL › Subchapter 61-16 - Minimum Standards for Licensing Hospitals and Institutional General Infirmaries › Sec2 61-16.200 - LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND FEES › Section 61-16.201 - License Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
A. No person, private or public organization, political subdivision, or governmental agency shall establish, operate, maintain, or represent itself (advertise or market) as a hospital or institutional general infirmary in South Carolina without first obtaining a license from the Department. Admission of patients or the provision of care, treatment, and/or services to patients prior to the effective date of licensure is a violation of S.C. Code Ann. Section 44-7-260(A) (1976, as amended). (I)
B. A license shall be effective for a period of time specified by the Department.
C. A new facility, or one that has not been continuously licensed under these or prior standards, shall not admit patients until permission is granted by the Department.
D. Hospitals that provide services to patients requiring skilled nursing care must maintain a separate license for the areas where the services are provided.
E. Upon receipt of a written request from the hospital authorities to the Department requesting such certification, any general hospital having a current license to operate may be certified as a suitable facility for the performance of abortions. A hospital shall comply with Chapter 41 of Title 44 of the S.C. Code of Laws. (I)
F. Applicants for a license shall file application under oath on a form and frequency specified by the Department. An application shall be signed/authenticated by the owner, if an individual or partnership; or in the case of a corporation, by two of its officers; or in the case of a governmental unit, by the head of the governmental department having jurisdiction over it. The application shall set forth the full name and address of the facility for which the license is sought and of the owner in case his address is different from that of the facility; the names of persons in control thereof and such additional information as the Department may require, including affirmative evidence of ability to comply with reasonable standards, rules and regulations as may be lawfully prescribed. No proposed hospital shall be named nor may an existing hospital have its name changed to the same or similar name as a hospital licensed in the State. Applicants shall make payment of all outstanding fees (initial licensure fees, annual licensure fees, inspection fees, construction fees, etc.) prior to the Department's issuance of a license.
G. Licensing Fees. The initial and annual license fee shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per licensed bed. All fees are non-refundable, and shall be made payable to the Department via a secured portal or specific website.
H. A facility shall request issue of an amended license, by application to the Department prior to any of the following circumstances:
1. Change of ownership by purchase or lease;
2. Change of facility's name;
3. Addition of beds (an inspection will be required prior to issuance of license);
4. Deletion of beds;
5. Reallocation of types of beds as shown on license; or
6. Relocation of a facility.