Anticipated Changes to the CON Review Standards

The Certificate of Need (CON) Nursing Home Workgroup has been actively reviewing Michigan’s CON Review Standards for Nursing Home/HLTCU Beds and Services. Convened by the Certificate of Need Commission, the workgroup brings together stakeholders from across the long-term care spectrum to evaluate whether current policies meet the evolving needs of Michigan’s aging population.

The commission asked the workgroup to review four specific areas of the standards for possible revision: (1) the process for temporary closure to replace aging facilities, (2) the quality provisions, (3) ensuring payment plans for delinquent taxes or fees are appropriately incorporated and (4) making any technical edits necessary. Much work has been completed by subgroups, which allows input from multiple stakeholders with more dedicated time to address specific items.

Significant progress has been made on language to appropriately address replacing aging facilities, and the workgroup will soon consider formally adopting changes to the standards to reflect the work done. The language will balance the input from members of the nursing facility community, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other key stakeholders. Additional consideration is expected during the October workgroup meeting.

In addition, language related to payment plans has gone through several iterations and is also likely to be completed during the October workgroup meeting.

In terms of the quality provisions, stakeholders continue to meet to consider proposed updates. The hope is for language to be brought to the October workgroup meeting for consideration.

If you would like to learn more about the workgroup or the CON policy process, email contact the McCall Hamilton CON team.