22 §337. Application process for certificate of need
Title 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Subtitle 2: HEALTH
Part 1: ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 103-A: CERTIFICATE OF NEED HEADING: PL 2001, C. 664, §2 (NEW)
§337. Application process for certificate of need
1. Letter of intent. Prior to filing an application for a certificate of need, an applicant shall file a letter of intent with the department. The letter of intent forms the basis for determining the applicability of this chapter to the proposed expenditure or action. A letter of intent is deemed withdrawn one year after receipt by the department, unless sooner superseded by an application, except that the applicant is not precluded from resubmitting the same letter of intent.
[ 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW) .]
2. Application filed. Paragraphs A to C apply in the given order to the application process for certificate of need.
A. After receiving the letter of intent, the department shall issue a letter or checklist, or both, to an applicant that stipulates and clarifies what will be required in the application. [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
B. Within 30 days of filing the letter of intent, the applicant shall schedule a meeting with the department staff in order to assist the department in understanding the application and to receive technical assistance concerning the nature, extent and format of the documentary evidence, statistical data and financial data required for the department to evaluate the proposal. The department may not accept an application for review until the applicant has satisfied this technical assistance requirement. [2009, c. 383, §10 (AMD).]
C. After receiving notice from the department that a certificate of need is required for a proposed expenditure or action, if the applicant wishes to proceed with the project, the applicant must file an application for a certificate of need. [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
[ 2009, c. 383, §10 (AMD) .]
3. Application content. An application for a certificate of need must describe with specificity how the proposed project meets each of the conditions for granting a certificate of need required by this chapter. A statement or statements that the project will meet the conditions without supporting facts backed by relevant documentation and analysis constitute sufficient cause to deny the application. An application subject to full review must contain, if available and relevant to the particular service or technology, information on health status, public health need for the service or technology, quality assurance processes and prevention programs.
[ 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW) .]
4. Application complete. An application is certified as complete when the applicant delivers to the department a certification in writing that states that the application should be considered complete by the department. Subsequent to the applicant's certification under this subsection, the applicant may submit information that is responsive to any concern, issue, question or allegation of facts contrary to those in the application made by the department or any other person.
[ 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW) .]
5. Public notice; public informational meeting. Within 10 business days of the filing of a certificate by an applicant that a complete certificate of need application is on file with the department, public notice that the application has been filed and that a public informational meeting must be held regarding the application must be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Kennebec County and in a newspaper published within the service area in which the proposed expenditure will occur. The notice must also be provided to all persons who have requested notification by means of asking that their names be placed on a mailing list maintained by the department for this purpose. This notice must include:
A. A brief description of the proposed expenditure or other action; [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
B. A description of the review process and schedule; [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
C. A statement that any person may examine the application, submit comments in writing to the department regarding the application and examine the entire record assembled by the department at any time from the date of publication of the notice until the application process is closed for comment; and [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
D. The time and location of the public informational meeting and a statement that any person may appear at the meeting to question the applicant regarding the project or the department regarding the conditions that the applicant must satisfy in order to receive a certificate of need for the project. [2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]
The department shall make an electronic or stenographic record of the public informational meeting.
A public informational meeting is not required for the simplified review and approval process in section 336.
[ 2009, c. 383, §11 (AMD) .]
6. Voluntary withdrawal of application. During the review period, prior to the date that department staff submits a final report to the commissioner, an applicant may withdraw an application without prejudice by filing written notice of the withdrawal with the department. A withdrawn application may be resubmitted and will be processed as an entirely new application under this chapter.
[ 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW) .]
7. Filing fee. The department shall adopt rules setting minimum and maximum filing fees under this chapter. A nonrefundable filing fee must be paid at the time an application is filed with the department. If the approved capital expenditure or operating cost upon which the fees were based is higher than the initially proposed capital expenditure, then the filing fee must be recalculated and the difference in fees, if any, must be paid before the certificate of need may be issued.
[ 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW). 2009, c. 383, §§10, 11 (AMD).