Section 15-8-90-05-512.01.01 - Policy Statement Regarding Certificate of Need Applications for the Acquisition or Otherwise Control of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Equipment and/or the Offering of MRI Services1.CON Review Requirements: The CON process regarding the acquisition or otherwise control of MRI equipment and/or the offering of MRI services involves separate requirements for CON review: (a) an entity proposing to acquire or otherwise control MRI equipment must obtain a CON to do so if the capital expenditure for the MRI unit and related equipment exceeds $1,500,000; and(b) an entity proposing to offer MRI services which has not provided the service on a regular basis within the last twelve (12) months must obtain a CON before providing such services, regardless of the capital expenditure.2.CON Approval Preference: MSDH shall give preference to those applicants proposing to enter into joint ventures utilizing mobile and/or shared equipment. However, the applicant must meet the applicable CON criteria and standards provided herein and the general criteria and standards contained in the currently approved Mississippi Certificate of Need Review Manual.3.Mobile MRI: For purposes of this Plan, a mobile MRI unit is defined as an MRI unit operating at two or more host sites and that has a central service coordinator. The mobile MRI unit shall operate under a contractual agreement for the provision of MRI services at each host site on a regularly scheduled basis.4.Conversion to Fixed: The conversion from mobile MRI service to fixed MRI service is considered the establishment of a new MRI service and requires CON review.5.Utilization of Existing Units: No new MRI services shall be approved unless all existing MRI service in the applicant's defined service area performed an average of 1,700 MRI procedures per existing and approved MRI scanner during the most recent twelve (12) month reporting period and the proposed new services would not reduce the utilization of existing providers in the service area.6.Population-Based Formula: MSDH shall use a population-based formula as presented at the end of this chapter when calculating MRI need. Also, the formula will use historical and projected use rates by service area and patient origin data. The population-based formula is based on the most recent population projections prepared by the State Data Center (University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies). The applicant shall project a reasonable population base to justify the provision of 2,700 procedures (or 1,700 procedures for rural hospitals) by the second year of operation.7.Mobile Service Volume Proration: The required minimum service volumes for the establishment of services and the addition of capacity for mobile services shall be prorated on a "site by site" basis based on the amount of time the mobile services will be operational at each site.8.Addition of a Health Care Facility: An equipment vendor who proposes to add a health care facility to an existing or proposed route must notify MSDH through the filing of a Determination of Non Reviewability of any proposed changes, i.e., additional health care facilities or route deviations, from those presented in the Certificate of Need application prior to such change.15 Miss. Code. R. 8-90-05-512.01.01