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What is a Certificate of Need (“CON”)?
Certificate of Need (“CON”) is an effort to contain costs, improve quality and increase access for many of Connecticut major health care services. It is a program that is regulated by 19a-638 of the Connecticut General Statutes. You can click on the following link to go to OHS’s CON page: Certificate of Need.
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How do I know that I need to file a CON?
Three simple ways:
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You can review 19a-638 of the Connecticut General Statutes that lets you know, what does and what does not require a CON.
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You can submit a completed CON Determination Form to with all the relevant facts about your project/proposal and OHS will send you a formal written CON Determination stating whether your proposal/project requires you to file for a CON.
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You can contact OHS directly by telephone (860) 418-7001 or email HSP@ct.gov
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What Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) guide the CON?
There are two (2) primary C.G.S. that guide CON, they are 19a-638 (that explains what does and what does not require a CON and 19a-639 (explains the CON process and review criteria).
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What is a CON Determination and when should I file one?
Whenever you are unclear whether your proposal/project requires a CON, you can submit a completed CON Determination Form and OHS will reply back in writing whether or not your proposal/project requires you to file a CON.
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How do I start the CON process?
By publishing a notice to the public in the local major newspaper for 3 days in a row, 20 days prior to submitting the completed CON application to OHS. Please see Certificate of Need for the overall CON process or contact OHS at (860) 418-7001 for process related details and answers to your questions.
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Where can I get CON forms to fill out?
CON forms are located on OHS’s website under Certificate of Need Forms
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Is there a fee required when filing a CON Application with OHS?
Yes, currently there is a flat $500 fee required when filing a CON with OHS.
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Who can I talk to about the CON process at OHS? How do I get in touch with them?
You can contact OHS with any CON questions at (860) 418-7001.
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What criteria does OHS do to review a CON Application?
The criteria used to review CON applications are listed under 19a-639.
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What is a CON Modification?
A CON Modification is a process by which a previously rendered CON Decision or a previously signed Agreed Settlement is altered. It’s principally guided by 4-181b C.G.S.
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Where can I find previously filed CON Applications, Decisions, Determinations and Modifications?
All CON related material filed with OHS since September 2018 can be accessed via OHS's CON Portal. Historical CON related material dating up to five years prior to the current year may be available on OHS's website under HSP Certificate of Need webpage.
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Who is the final decision maker for CON Determinations, Decisions and Modifications rendered by HSP?
OHS's Executive Director, is the final decision maker for all final actions. OHS's Executive Director may designate another OHS staff to sign a document on her behalf.
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When does OHS hold a public hearing?
Once a CON application has been deemed Complete (meaning OHS has gathered the information in the CON application it deems necessary), there are two ways a public hearing can be held. One, OHS can choose to take any CON application to a public hearing for an reason, or if three (3) or more individual's or a person or entity, representing five or more individuals request a public hearing within 30 days of a CON application being deemed Complete.
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Can I attend a public hearing?
All public hearings are open to all public to attend. If someone wishes to participate in a public hearing, they may request intervenor status in the particular hearing under the appropriate Connecticut General Statute.
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Where do I find information regarding an OHS public hearing?
When a public hearing is scheduled, OHS publishes a legal notice informing the public in the major local newspaper where the proposal/project is to be located. In addition to that, OHS files its weekly Calendar with the Secretary of State and HSP publishes information about the public hearing on the Office of Health Strategy's Calendar on State of Connecticut website https://egov.ct.gov/PMC/#agency104
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How do I know what CONs are currently being reviewed by OHS?
On weekly basis, OHS produces and publishes a CON Status Report that is published on OHS’s website under “Status Reports."
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What’s the status of a particular CON?
On weekly basis, OHS produces and publishes a CON Status Report that is published on OHS’s website under “Status Reports.”
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What is a Docket Number?
A number called the “Docket Number” is assigned to each CON related filing with OHS. This is a way to track all projects internally and externally.
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What is a Health Care Facility?
Health Care Facility is a term that OHS uses to define the five (5) types of facilities that it regulates. The term Health Care Facility is defined for OHS’s purposes under Section 19a-630 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
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Do I need a CON to get a license for the facility I want to open?
OHS does not give out licenses. You have to contact Department of Public Health’s Licensing section directly to inquire if your particular facility/service requires a license. You can reach them at (860) 509-7603.
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I’m replacing and/or relocating my current MRI, CT, PET or PET-CT. Do I need to file anything with OHS?
If the scanner you are looking to relocate or replace has previous CON authorization (approving your initial acquisition of the machine), you may download a CON Replacement/Relocation form from OHS website under OHS Forms and once you complete and submit it with the appropriate Docket Number of the previous CON authorization. Once OHS verifies your previous CON authorization. It will post your notice to OHS on our website under CON Notifications and you are all set.
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Do I need to file a CON for removing/terminating my current MRI, CT, PET, PET-CT, or LinAC?
If you are a Hospital and terminating any service, you are required to file a CON. Removing/terminating your current imaging service would be considered a termination. If you are not a hospital and removing/terminating your imaging service, you do not need to file a CON.
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When does OHS post information related to CONs on its website? How often?
All CON related material is available to public via the CON Portal upon its acceptance by OHS (normally within 24 hours) or immediately upon being filed with the office.
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How do I get a copy of a CON application, CON Determination or any other CON related documents?
All CON related material filed with OHS since September 2018 can be accessed via OHS's CON Portal. Historical CON related material dating up to five years prior to the current year may be available on OHS's website under HSP Certificate of Need webpage.