Certificate of Need (CON)
Promoting responsive health facility and service development
Who we are
The Certificate of Need (CON) program is run by a team in the Department of Health's Office of Rate Review. They focus on smart, research-based health planning.
Our goal is to make sure health care in Alaska meets community needs, follows state health priorities, and can last over time. We value openness, public input, and careful review. Our process helps prevent extra, unnecessary health services while making sure care is available, high-quality, and efficient.
We work with health care providers, community members, and other groups across Alaska to create a health care system that works well now and in the future.
What we do
The Certificate of Need (CON) program reviews health care projects to make sure they meet community needs, improve care quality, and keep costs under control. We check that new or expanding health facilities and services are necessary and won’t create extra, unneeded costs. Public input is an important part of the process, giving people a chance to share their thoughts before decisions are made.
Each review looks at project plans, data, and building designs for new construction, remodeling, or added services. Every review includes a public comment period, and if requested, a meeting is held for in-person feedback. This helps ensure projects are developed in a way that benefits the community.
CON reviews follow state rules (7 AAC 07.025) to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with health care goals. Since Alaska invests heavily in Medicaid, it has a strong interest in making sure new health care facilities and major medical equipment purchases are well-planned.
Alaska’s growing population, especially its senior community, means the health care system must expand wisely. Careful planning helps ensure new services provide high-quality care at the best value.