Frequently asked questions about Nexus Health Systems.
This information will help during admission planning.
Nexus Health Systems understands you may have questions about your stay or the stay of a loved one at one of our hospitals or medical model residential treatment centers. To learn more about your or a family member’s prospective stay, please review our frequently asked questions below.
In addition, patients and residents will receive a handbook upon admission that includes information about the facility, patient/resident services, visitor guidelines, billing information, and patient/resident rights and responsibilities. If you have more questions, please contact our Admissions Department or the liaison you’ve been communicating with pre-admission. This information is helpful to understanding how we’re mending minds.
Program & facility questions
What type of facilities are included in Nexus Health Systems’ network of care?
Nexus includes both hospital-based programs and medical-model residential treatment centers, each designed for different levels of clinical need.
Hospital-based programs provide the highest level of care for patients who require 24/7 nursing and physician oversight, intensive medical management, or complex behavioral stabilization. This level of care is appropriate for individuals with significant medical complexity, acute neurological conditions, or safety concerns that require close monitoring.
Medical-model residential treatment centers (RTCs) provide a lower level of care for patients who are medically stable, but still require 24/7 medical supervision, structured therapeutic support, behavioral treatment, or rehabilitation in a supervised setting. Residential care typically involves longer lengths of stay and focuses on skill-building, stabilization, and preparation for transition back home or to the community.
Patients may admit to either setting from an acute care hospital, from home, or through another referral source. Because Nexus operates across this continuum, patients can move to the least restrictive, most clinically appropriate setting as they progress, without disrupting care coordination.
Can patients transfer between hospital and residential levels of care within Nexus?
Patients may transition between hospital and medical residential programs as their needs change, allowing continuity of care across the recovery process. This helps ensure the least restrictive and most appropriate setting over time.
What if my child has been turned away or discharged from other hospitals or programs?
Many families come to Nexus after being told their child’s needs are too medically complex, behaviorally intensive, or specialized for traditional settings. Nexus is designed specifically for patients who require coordinated medical, behavioral, and neurological care in one environment. Our interdisciplinary teams are experienced in working with individuals who have not been successful in standard hospital, psychiatric, or residential programs and who need a higher level of clinical structure and support.
What are the typical diagnoses admitted by program?
Harbor Program
Rehabilitative and ongoing medical care after complex injuries or illnesses.
- Polytrauma
- Cardiac arrest
- Ventilator dependence
- Long-term antibiotic therapy
- Wound complications, including those resulting from surgery
- Congenital heart disease
- Rare genetic disorders
- Blood disorders
- Awaiting transplant
- Sepsis
- Complications from RSV
True North Program
Inpatient and medical-model residential treatment for complex behavioral and medical challenges.
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Behavior Dysregulation
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Cutting and Self-Harm
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- History of Homicidal Ideation
- Major Depression Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Somatization Disorders
- History of Suicidal Ideation
- Trauma and PTSD
New Directions Program
Inpatient treatment for severe autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as co-occurring medical needs.
- Significant intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) including autism, including:
- Exceptionally challenging/uncontrollable maladaptive behaviors
- Significant co-occurring medical needs (i.e., autism and seizure disorder)
- Substantial physical impairments
Jump Start Program
Inpatient medical and behavioral treatment for Prader-Willi Syndrome and other weight-related disorders.
- Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
- Childhood obesity
- Other established weight control problems
Rise Program
Rehabilitation and ongoing medical care after severe traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurological diagnoses.
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Disorder of Consciousness
- Seizure Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Amnesia/Delirium
- Behavioral Dysregulation
- Complex Neurological Conditions
- Dual Diagnosis
Life Care Program
Ongoing, lifelong medical care after catastrophic injury.
- Ranges; catastrophic to where person or caregivers cannot manage medical and/or behavioral needs at home
What age groups do you admit?
Nexus Health Systems primarily admits patients between the ages of 0 and 21, with precise age ranges varying by program. Adult patients with commercial or workers’ compensation insurance providers may be eligible for the Rise Program for neurological injury and illness, as well as the Life Care Program. Patients are assigned to a program and facility following a clinical review. Please submit a form with more details, and a clinical liaison will be in touch to discuss your specific case.
Do you provide inpatient care for children and adolescents with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions?
Yes. Nexus provides hospital-based care for children and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions when medical complexity, safety concerns, or behavioral intensity require more support than outpatient or community settings can provide. In the New Directions Program, we carefully adjust and manage medications, address communication challenges, and immerse patients in developmentally appropriate programming.
Can Nexus support teens who have both behavioral challenges and medical needs?
Nexus Health Systems specializes in treating adolescents with overlapping behavioral, psychiatric, and medical conditions that may be difficult for traditional psychiatric or medical hospitals to manage. This includes teens who need psychiatric stabilization alongside nursing care, rehabilitation, or management of chronic medical conditions. By integrating these services within one setting, our care teams can address safety, health, and functional goals simultaneously.
Do you accept medically complex patients who require ventilators, feeding tubes, or seizure management?
Many Nexus programs are designed for medically complex patients who require ongoing nursing and physician oversight, including ventilator support, enteral nutrition, seizure management, or wound care. Each case is reviewed individually to confirm clinical fit.
Do you offer facility tours?
You can view our virtual tours here. If you would like to request an in-person tour, please complete this form and a clinical liaison will be in touch to schedule.
Pre-admission questions
What information is needed for a hospital or residential treatment referral?
Referrals typically require recent medical records, medication lists, insurance information, and any behavioral or psychological evaluations. Providing comprehensive documentation helps the clinical team determine appropriate placement more quickly.
How long does the inpatient admission process usually take?
Admission timelines vary based on medical record review and insurance authorization, but many admissions move forward once clinical review is complete and coverage is approved. Some admissions occur within days, while others take longer depending on payer response.
What insurance does Nexus Health Systems accept?
Nexus Health Systems accepts all major insurance plans, Medicaid, and private payments. Contact our admissions team to learn more about coverage and eligibility.
How long does the insurance approval process take?
Depending on the particular payor, the process may take two to three days to upwards of 45 days. Your assigned Nexus clinical liaison will be able to answer more specifically.
Who can refer a patient to Nexus?
Anyone, including family members, guardian, nurse, case manager, physician, and outpatient provider.
How do I refer a patient to Nexus?
You can complete the online form or call 713.351.6633 to refer a patient to Nexus. We also have admission fax numbers for information and requested medical records to be submitted.
Nexus Children’s Hospital: 713.482.4863
Nexus Neurorecovery Center: 713.583.5185.
What are the typical documents needed to review for admission?
The following documentation will need to be provided: most recent medical records from current treating providers, copy of insurance card, and recent psychological evaluation (if applicable). Other documents may be requested case-by-case.
Will I be assigned a particular Nexus contact who will help me through the admission journey?
A clinical liaison will be assigned to you to help through the process. The clinical liaison will reach out to a family member or designated guardian via phone call within one business day of the referral.
What does the entire admission process look like from referral to patient drop-off?
The typical process is: Referral received, appropriate requested medical documentation sent via fax or email, medical documentation review/evaluation writeup, transportation discussed and/or arranged, transfer details finalized.
Admission questions
Can families stay involved in treatment planning during an inpatient stay?
Families and guardians remain actively involved through regular updates, care conferences, and discharge planning discussions. Collaboration with caregivers is an important part of treatment and recovery.
How long will the patient be with Nexus?
The patient’s length of stay depends on the program they’re admitted to. The clinical liaison can give you more specific information after the program is assigned. Length of stay may also depend on clinical progression and/or insurance coverage.
Are there any hotel accommodation recommendations if I need to stay overnight nearby?
Nexus has some arrangements with local hotels offering discounted rates for families or guardians. View those suggestions here, by facility:
Nexus Children’s Hospital – Dallas
Nexus Children’s Hospital – Houston
Nexus Children’s Hospital – Shenandoah
Nexus Children’s Hospital – The Woodlands
Nexus Neurorecovery Center – Conroe
Nexus Neurorecovery Center – San Antonio
Can I stay with my loved one on the admission day?
We welcome all families and guardians on the day of admission to attend admission conference and help the patient settle into their room. Visitation hours vary based on facility and program. Parent/Guardian overnight stays are contingent upon the facility or program.
What should we expect on the admission day?
Your assigned clinical liaison will provide information on what to expect on the admission day. There will be an admission conference, and you will be coordinated with if you would like to participate.
How does the patient physically admit to Nexus?
Your assigned clinical liaison will work with you and the referring physician/facility to coordinate transportation. Transportation needs are discussed on a case-by-case basis.
What should we plan on bringing for the patient?
Your assigned clinical liaison will provide a list of items to bring or not to bring via phone or email. You may also receive a handbook depending on what program the patient is admitting to.
Once paperwork is submitted, what is the next step in the admission process?
Once insurance is approved, the admission date is scheduled and the clinical liaison communicates with family and/or guardian on the packing list, coordinates transportation, and discusses any other pertinent details.
Discharge questions
What if the patient is discharged and challenges arise at home?
Through Nexus 360 Care Coordination, we help to ensure a smooth transition to home and community for patients with especially complex diagnoses and care needs.
Will families or guardians receive any training to support care after discharge?
Nexus provides family members, guardians, and school officials training to facilitate program carryover at home, school, or in the community. Each program has specific training that can be detailed once the patient is assigned to a program.
What does the discharge process look like?
Nexus will work with families and guardians throughout the patient’s stay to discuss discharge needs, as we work closely to establish appropriate and timely discharge solutions. An assigned case manager or social worker will help facilitate discharge planning needs, including equipment, services, or clinical follow-up.