Beginning January 1, 2013, new health care projects in Vermont are required to obtain a Certificate of Need (CON) from the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) prior to implementation.  Before that date, the Legislature had conferred authority over CONs to the Commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation (formerly known as BISHCA). 

The Certificate of Need process is intended to prevent unnecessary duplication of health care facilities and services, guide their establishment in order to best serve public needs, promote cost containment, and to ensure the provision and equitable allocation of high quality health care services and resources to all Vermonters.  Oversight of the CON process is one of the ways the Board is working to ensure that changes in Vermont’s health care system improve quality while stabilizing costs. 

Click on the links below to learn more about the CON process.  In addition, you can contact us at 802-828-2177 or send an e-mail to gmcb.con@state.vt.us  to discuss a proposed project or to receive guidance on a CON application.

NOTE:  During this transitional period, we do not have all CON information posted to this website, but plan to post additional information and forms in the near future.

Statutory Authority

More information on the Certificate of Need process may be found in Chapter 221 of Title 18 of the Vermont Statutes.

Department of Financial Regulation's (DFR) CON rule, which applies to all CON matters for which an application was filed before January 1, 2013:  DFR Rule-H-2010-01

GMCB's CON Rule, which applies to all CON matters for which an application was filed on or after January 1, 2013: GMCB Rule 4.00 

Letter of Intent

The CON process typically begins with the potential applicant filing a Letter of Intent, as set forth in Vermont statute.  See 18 V.S.A. § 9440(c)(2)(A). The Board will review the Letter of Intent to determine whether or not the proposed health care project falls within its statutory authority.  Because the Letter of Intent provides the Board information necessary to make an initial assessment of a proposed project, applicants who are not required by statute to file a Letter of Intent – those applicants who agree that their proposals are within the Board’s jurisdiction – are likewise encouraged to provide a Letter of Intent to the Board.  

A Letter of Intent form is available below. Note that the completed form must provide information in sufficient detail to allow the Board to ascertain the scope of the project and to determine whether a Certificate of Need is required.  Please contact us for questions on Letter of Intent requirements.

Link to Letter of Intent form: CON Letter of Intent. Please complete and save the form to your computer.  Once the form is signed, you can send the Letter of Intent, Projected Project Costs spreadsheet, and any other addtional information that is needed to gmcb.con@state.vt.us.

Link to Financial spreadsheets for Letter of Intent: Projected Project Costs. To use this form, please save this document to your computer.

Health Resource Allocation Plan (HRAP)

A CON applicant is required to show that its application is consistent with the health resource allocation plan (HRAP).  The HRAP identifies Vermont needs in health care services, programs, and facilities, the resources available to meet those needs, and the priorities for addressing those needs on a statewide basis.  Because of the variety of CON projects that are submitted for review, not all of its requirements must be met for any given project. Please contact us if you have further questions on HRAP standards.

More information about the HRAP is available at 18 V.S.A. §9405.

Pending CON Applications:

• Thompson House, Conversion of 7 Residential Care Beds to 7 Nursing Home Beds, Docket No. 12-013-H.

Jurisdictional letter dated June 5, 2012

• Gifford Medical Center, Construction of New Nursing Home in Randolph Center and Reuse of Nursing Home Space Vacated in Hospital for Single Occupancy Rooms, Docket No. 12-009-H.

Jurisdictional letter dated April 24, 2012

• Maple Leaf Farm, Development of Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in Williston, Docket No. 11-104-H.

Jurisdictional letter dated June 14, 2012

Request for Interested Party Status: Holberg, HowardCenter, OAS, Recovery House

Interested Party Status Granted: OAS, HowardCenter, Recovery House

• Vergennes Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Docket No. GMCB-001-13con

Jurisdictional letter dated January 14, 2013

• Proposed Purchase of Newport Health Care Center and Newport Residential Care Center in Newport, Docket No. GMCB-003-013con

Jurisidictional letter dated January 28, 2013

• Rutland Regional Hospital, Opiate Treatment Center, Docket No. GMCB-006-13con

Jurisdictional letter dated March 1, 2013

• Soteria Vermont, 5-bed therapeutic Community Residence for People with Psychosis, Docket No. GMCB-005-13con

Jurisdictional letter dated March 8, 2013

• Gifford Medical Center, Creation of Federally Qualified Health Center, Docket No. GMCB-007-13con

Letter to Request Jursidictional Determination dated March 19, 2013

Jurisdictional letter dated April 1, 2013

• Springfield Hospital, Proposal to Expand MRI Service, Docket No. GMCB-009-13con

Jurisdictional Determination Letter dated May 9, 2013

Certificate of Needs:

• Fletcher Allen Health Care, Replacement of Fixed 3.0 Tesla MRI, Docket No. GMCB-004-013con

Letter granting Expedited Review and Public Notice

Application Closed Letter

Statement of Decision and Certificate of Need Document

• Crescent Manor, Purchase of Existing Nursing Home in Bennington, Docket No. 11-036-H.

Jurisdictional letter dated May 8, 2012

Public Notice for March 4, 2013

Staff Report, Dated March 28, 2013

Statement of Decision and Certificate of Need Document

For Certificate of Needs filed prior to 1/1/2013, please contact Donna Jerry at donna.jerry@state.vt.us.