While many of us were shopping for last-minute gifts for our families, Governor McCrory was busy approving the 2015 State Medical Facilities Plan (“SMFP”). The SMFP is a document created annually by the State Health Coordinating Council that sets forth the methodology and allocations of available Certificates of Needs (“CON”) for the upcoming year. Under North Carolina law, the SMFP must be approved by the Governor. On December 22, 2015, the Governor approved the need allocations that will be available for the award of CONs in 2015 by signing the SMFP. Although the 2015 SMFP does not allocate a large number of potential CONs, there are some significant healthcare projects in the 2015 SMFP for which providers may wish to apply in the coming months.
In terms of technology and equipment, a CON for a fixed MRI scanner in Harnett County will be up for review in 2015. Applications for the fixed MRI scanner are due on August 17, 2015. Otherwise, 2015 looks to be a relatively quiet year for equipment applications.
Adult care home CONs provide one bright spot in the 2015 SMFP. The 2015 SMFP allocated 340 beds to Brunswick County. Applications for this allocation are due August 17, 2015. Providers should be mindful that they can apply for all or part of the 340 available beds. This allocation provides a good opportunity for adult care home providers to grow in a part of the state that is seeing an increased number of retirees.
On the home care and hospice front, the 2015 SMFP has no allocation for additional home health offices. However, the SMFP allocates one CON for a hospice home care Medicare-certified office in Cumberland County. Applications for the Cumberland County hospice home care CON are due June 15, 2015. Read More
Robb Leandro assists his client with a broad range of legal issues relating to health care, administrative law and public policy. His legal practice focuses on helping health care providers navigate the minefield of regulations that they face in their practices. Robb routinely assists his clients with issues including Medicaid and Medicare regulations; Medicaid and Medicare audits; Certificate of Need Applications and litigation; licensure, surveys, and certification issues; and HIPAA and privacy laws. Robb also provides counsel to health care providers with complex government contract procurement issues.
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