Certificate of Need & Behavioral Health Planning Unit

The Certificate of Need and Behavioral Health Planning Unit includes the Certificate of Need Program (CON) and the Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan. The CON is used by the Department of Health and Social Services as a review process to promote rational health facility and service development, planning, and cost containment. The purpose of the program is to ensure that new health care facility construction projects or equipment purchases that cost more than $1 million are effective; not duplicative; encourage adequate planning and public involvement in the decision making process; and improve accessibility and quality of health care services.

Behavioral Health Planning includes the Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan and Statewide Olmstead coordination. The comprehensive plan prepared in conjunction with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and coordinated with federal, state, regional, local and private entities involved in behavioral health services. The plan guides policy and funding decisions regarding publicly funded services for Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries: people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chronic alcoholism, and Alzheimer's' disease and related disorders. Statewide Olmstead coordination is related to the promotion of community-based services for people with psychiatric, developmental or other significant disabilities who require long-term care.