15 Miss. Code. R. 8-90-05-512.01.04
An entity proposing to offer MRI services shall obtain Certificate of Need (CON) approval before offering such services.
Need Criterion 1: Minimum Procedures/Population
The entity desiring to offer MRI services must document that the equipment shall perform a minimum of 2,700 procedures (or 1,700 procedures for rural hospitals) by the end of the second year of operation. This criterion includes both fixed and mobile MRI equipment. The applicant must show methodology used for the projections.
It is recognized that a particular MRI unit may be utilized by more than one provider of MRI services, some of which may be located outside of Mississippi. In such cases all existing or proposed providers of MRI services must jointly meet the required service volume of 2,700 (or 1,700 for mobile MRI route exclusively serving rural hospitals) procedures annually by the end of the second year of operation. If the MRI unit in question is presently utilized by other providers of MRI services, the actual number of procedures performed by them during the most recent 12-month period and/or documented projection of physician referrals may be used instead of the formula projections.
Need Criterion 2: Availability of Diagnostic Imaging Modalities
An applicant desiring to offer MRI services must document that a full range of diagnostic imaging modalities for verification and complementary studies will be available at the time MRI services begin. These modalities shall include, but not be limited to, computed tomography (full body), ultrasound, angiography, nuclear medicine, and conventional radiology.
Need Criterion 3: Non-Discrimination
All applicants proposing to offer MRI services shall give written assurance that, within the scope of its available services, neither the facility where the service is provided nor its participating medical personnel shall have policies nor procedures which would exclude patients because of race, color, age, sex, ethnicity, or ability to pay.
Need Criterion 4: Staffing Requirements
The applicant must document that the following staff will be available:
Need Criterion 5: Experimental Procedures
The applicant shall document that when an MRI unit is to be used for experimental procedures with formal/approved protocols, a full-time medical physicist or MRI scientist (see definition in Glossary) with at least one year of experience in diagnostic imaging shall be available in the facility.
Need Criterion 6: Data Requirements
The applicant shall provide assurances that the following data regarding its use of the MRI equipment will be kept and made available to MSDH upon request:
In addition to the above data recording requirements, the facility should maintain the source of payment for procedures and the total amounts charged during the fiscal year when it is within the scope of the recording system.
Need Criterion 7: CON Approval/Exemption for MRI Equipment
Before the service can be provided, the CON applicant desiring to offer MRI services shall provide written evidence that the specified MRI equipment provider has received CON approval or is exempt from CON approval as determined by through a determination of non-reviewability. Each specified piece of equipment must be exempt from or have CON approval.
15 Miss. Code. R. 8-90-05-512.01.04