NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

What is this notice about?

Some details couldn't be confirmed in the official notice text, so they aren't shown here, and some figures or citations in this summary couldn't be matched to the notice. Check the official notice.

The Alaska Department of Health has received a request from PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center for a Certificate of Need (CON), which is state approval needed for certain major health care projects. Anyone planning a similar project in the same area has until November 30, 2026, to send a letter of intent so their application can be reviewed at the same time; a public comment period will be announced later.

Why was this notice issued?

The Department of Health received a Certificate of Need application from PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. State rule 7 AAC 07.042 requires public notice so that anyone planning a similar project in the same service area can ask to be reviewed at the same time (concurrent review).

What action is being taken?

The Department is reviewing a Certificate of Need application for a project to buy and install robotic surgical systems, operating room equipment and infrastructure, and related surgical technology. The project would bring robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery for orthopedics, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology and general services to Ketchikan Medical Center, serving Ketchikan and Southern Southeast Alaska. Estimated cost is $6,967,728.14, with estimated completion on May 1, 2027. The Department is also inviting letters of intent from anyone planning a similar project in the same area.

Who is involved: PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center (PHKMC), the applicant; anyone planning a similar project in the Ketchikan service area.

How can the public respond?

Respond by Mon, Nov 30, 2026 22 days from today.

“No later than 4:30 PM, Monday November 30, 2026 (letter of intent for concurrent review)”

Ways to respond

Email doh.orr.con@alaska.gov
Mail CON Program, Department of Health, Certificate of Need Program, 3601 C Street, Suite 978, Anchorage, Alaska 99503

What to include

This deadline is only for people or organizations planning to submit their own CON application for a similar activity in the same service area. The letter of intent must be sent BOTH by email and as a mailed hard copy. It must include: a clear, complete and current description of the proposed activity, including each component; an estimate of the total project cost; and estimated start and completion dates. A complete CON application must then be submitted within 60 days after the initial application is declared complete. For the general public, a separate notice with public comment opportunities and where to review the applications will be issued once the initial application is declared complete.

Contact

Department of Health, Certificate of Need Program
doh.orr.con@alaska.gov
3601 C Street, Suite 978, Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

Nov 6, 2026: Notice issued
Nov 30, 2026: Deadline (4:30 PM) for letters of intent from anyone planning a similar project in the same service area
May 1, 2027: Estimated project completion date

Original notice text

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH The Department of Health (Department) has received an application for a Certificate of Need (CON) for the diagnostic imaging project described below. Project Applicant/Activity: PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center (PHKMC) – Rural Surgical Transformation: Expanding Access and Modernizing Care Project/Activity Service Area: Ketchikan Project Description: PHKMC seeks to modernize its surgical capabilities through the acquisition and installation of robotic surgical systems, operating room equipment and infrastructure, and related surgical technology. The project would establish robotic assisted minimally invasive surgical capabilities for orthopedics, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, and general services at the Ketchikan Medical Center in Ketchikan, AK, and Southern Southeast Alaska. Project Estimated Cost: $6,967,728.14 Project Estimated Completion Date: May 1, 2027 Concurrent Review Notice: In accordance with 7 AAC 07.042, notice is hereby given that any person planning to submit a CON application for a similar activity in the same proposed service area must submit a Letter of Intent within 25 days of this notice to allow the Department to prepare a concurrent review of all applications. The letter of intent must include: • A clear, complete, and current description of the proposed activity, including a description of each component of the activity proposed to be undertaken. • An estimate of the total cost of the project. • An estimated starting date and completion date for the proposed activity. To be reviewed concurrently: • The letter of intent must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM, Monday November 30, 2026, via email to doh.orr.con@alaska.gov and mailed in hard copy to the following address: CON Program Department of Health, Certificate of Need Program 3601 C Street, Suite 978 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 • A complete CON application must be submitted within 60 days after the initial application for a service is declared complete. As soon as the initial application is declared complete, public notice will be issued and will include information on opportunities for public comment and the location where a copy of each certificate of need application can be reviewed. DATE: November 6, 2026

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.