The SMFP is an annual document developed by the SHCC with support from Agency staff. The SMFP includes need projections for certain health care facilities, services, and equipment within the state for which a Certificate of Need (CON) may be applied. Agency staff collects data from various sources including annual license renewal applications; registration and inventory of medical equipment forms; regional kidney organizations; the CON Section; substance abuse data forms; data from Thomson Reuters; the statewide data processor and population data from the Office of State Budget and Management. The process of creating the SMFP includes these steps:
- Scheduling SHCC and SHCC committee meetings and providing technical support during those meetings.
- Scheduling SHCC workgroups and providing technical support during those meetings.
- Scheduling and convening public hearings to receive comments for changes to the need methodologies and policies in the proposed SMFP.
- Uploading draft documents to the Agency website in advance of hearings and meetings for public review.
- Receiving and analyzing petitions and drafting agency reports and recommendations for consideration by the SHCC.
- Revising the SMFP in accordance with the SHCC's recommendations.
- Reviewing the final SMFP with the Governor's staff prior to the Governor's review.
This service benefits the general population of North Carolina.