FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Our hospital provides on-site assessments when a potential patient is referred by another facility (i.e., hospital, emergency room, nursing home, assisted living, etc.) that is within 30 miles of our hospital. The assessment is
at no cost and will determine whether the individual meets the medically necessary criteria for an inpatient level of care. We also accept walk-ins and involuntary admissions.
Medicare will typically cover stays that fall within our admission criteria. We can also admit patients who are covered through other health insurance companies. Please feel free to contact our admissions office for further information regarding payment and benefits at (505) 243-3387.
Most of our rooms are semi-private. We have two (2) private rooms available only for patients that have special medical needs.
Sunday through Saturday: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.Only two visitors per patient are allowed at any time and no one under the age of 14.
Central Desert Behavioral Health Center is a short-term acute care behavioral health hospital. As such, the lengths of stay average from 7 – 14 days, but can be longer or shorter based on the individual patient’s needs.
Staffing varies and is determined by the individual needs of our patients and is adjusted accordingly.
Your physician/psychiatrist can provide services at our hospital only if he/she is credentialed and contracted to practice here. We do not allow outside therapists to practice at our hospital, but our discharge planners will be happy to arrange appointments with your providers when you are discharged from our care.
Central Desert Behavioral Health Center is located west of I-25 in Albuquerque. Take the Dr. Martin Luther King exit and turn south off Martin Luther King onto Elm Street. We are across the street west of the First Presbyterian Church on Elm Street. For your convenience, we offer parking at no charge.
Please bring three changes of casual clothes, one pair of casual shoes without laces and toiletries. Belts and pants with drawstrings are not permitted. Please leave all money, valuables and jewelry as well as personal pillows and blankets, etc., at home or with someone you trust. There is a complete list of items that are not allowed in the building available at the hospital. For safety reasons, we will search your personal belongings for items that are not allowed in the hospital prior to your entry into the unit.
Central Desert Behavioral Health Center is a non-smoking/non-tobacco product hospital. No tobacco products are allowed on campus. Your physician may prescribe a nicotine replacement product if needed.
All food, drinks and snacks are provided by the hospital. For safety reasons, no outside food or drinks are allowed in the hospital.