Alabama Administrative Code › Title 410 - STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY › Chapter 410-1-6 - REVIEW CRITERIA AND STANDARDS › Section 410-1-6-.06 - Additional Criteria For Determining Need

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) The following criteria shall be
			 considered in determining whether a need for the project exists, which criteria
			 shall be in addition to the criteria set forth in Section
			 410-1-6-.05:
(a) The need that the population served or to
			 be served has for the services proposed to be offered, expanded, or relocated,
			 will be considered. Specific data supporting the demonstration of need shall be
			 reasonable, relevant, and appropriate. In cases involving the relocation of a
			 facility or service, the extent to which a need will be met adequately by the
			 proposed relocation or by alternative arrangements, and the effect of the
			 relocation of the service on the ability of affected persons to obtain needed
			 health care will be examined in determining whether there is a need for the
			 proposed facility or service.
(b)
			 Population Statistics and Growth. Unless clearly shown otherwise, current
			 population estimates or projections published by the Center for Business and
			 Economic Research, University of Alabama, and data from the SHPDA Division of
			 Data Management will be considered to be the most reliable data available.
			 Population factors are normally included within those methodologies contained
			 in the State Health Plan for determining need.
(c) Current and Projected Utilization in the
			 Area. The current and projected utilization of like facilities or services
			 within the proposed service area will be considered in determining the need for
			 additional facilities or services. Unless clearly shown otherwise, data, where
			 available from the SHPDA Division of Data Management shall be considered to be
			 the most reliable data available.
1. Current
			 and projected utilization may be expressed in the State Health Plan as a
			 guideline to the SHPDA Board. Where such is the case, the SHPDA Board should
			 give due consideration to the guidelines.
(d) Specialization of the Facility or
			 Service. The allocation of beds in the appropriate state plan addresses a
			 general medical surgical bed need as well as a bed need for certain specialized
			 services in the area. An applicant proposing to use such general medical
			 surgical beds for a reviewable limited purpose service, such as obstetrical,
			 must prove a need or an additional need in the service area.
(e) Effect on Existing Facilities or
			 Services. The probable effect of the proposed facility or service on existing
			 facilities or services providing similar services to those proposed shall be
			 considered. When the service area of the proposed facility or service overlaps
			 the service area of an existing facility or service, then the effect on the
			 existing facility or service shall be considered. The applicant or interested
			 party must clearly present the methodologies, and assumptions upon which any
			 proposed project's impact on utilization in affected facilities or services is
			 calculated.
1. Expanded Services or New
			 Services. Expansion of existing services may be reviewed more favorably than
			 the establishment of new services as a generally more cost effective
			 alternative, however, the availability and accessibility of services must be
			 considered.
2. Merger, Sharing, or
			 Modernization of Services. Any merger of services into one facility or entity
			 from two or more facilities or entities which can be shown to result in lower
			 health care costs without adversely affecting need of access will be considered
			 a favorable factor. Sharing of services which result in lower health care cost
			 shall be considered a favorable factor. Modernization of services as an
			 alternative to new construction which result in lower health care costs shall
			 be considered a favorable factor.
(f) Community Reaction to the Facility or
			 Service. The community reaction to the facility should be considered. The
			 applicant may, at its option, submit endorsements from community officials and
			 individuals expressing their reaction to the proposal. If significant
			 opposition to the proposal is expressed in writing or at a public hearing, the
			 opposition may be considered an adverse factor and weighed against endorsements
			 received. Absence of opposition may be considered a favorable factor.
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