Cardiac Care
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) regulates cardiac surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) services in Maryland to support quality care, appropriate volume, and strong patient outcomes. This page provides an overview of how cardiac care services are regulated, along with access to staff reports, application forms, and information on Certificate of Need, Certificate of Conformance, and Certificate of Ongoing Performance review processes.
About Cardiac Care Services in Maryland
Cardiac Care Services are specialized hospital-based services such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiac surgery. These services are highly regulated due to their complexity, cost, and the need to ensure quality care delivery and appropriate patient outcomes.
In Maryland, Cardiac Care Services are regulated through a Certificate of Ongoing Performance (COP) process administered by the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC). Hospitals providing cardiac services must demonstrate ongoing compliance with State Health Plan standards, including quality metrics, volume thresholds, and performance outcomes.
MHCC monitors and evaluates cardiac programs on a periodic basis through the COP review process to ensure that providers maintain high-quality care, meet established benchmarks, and continue to serve the needs of Maryland residents in a safe and effective manner.
Quick Facts: Cardiac Care Services
Cardiac Care Services include hospital-based percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiac surgery, regulated by MHCC for quality, volume, and patient outcomes.
Establishing a cardiac surgery program
- Requires Certificate of Need (CON) review
Establishing or relocating PCI services
- Requires Certificate of Conformance review
Continuing to provide cardiac surgery or PCI services
- Requires Certificate of Ongoing Performance (COP) review
Facility Data and Reports
Reports
Browse staff reports and recommendations on cardiac care services in Maryland, prepared by the Commission in accordance with the State Health Plan.
Regulatory Process
The CON process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by a pre-application conference with MHCC staff. The applicant then files a formal CON application, which is reviewed by MHCC for completeness. Once deemed complete, the application enters a formal review period that includes opportunities for public comment and, if applicable, comparative review with competing applications. The CON review schedules are posted in the Maryland Register and on the MHCC website.
MHCC staff evaluate applications in accordance with the State Health Plan and applicable review criteria, including project need, cost-effectiveness, impact on existing providers, and financial feasibility. A staff report and recommendation are prepared and presented to the Commission. The Commission then issues a final decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.
The Certificate of Conformance process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by the filing of a formal application requesting approval to establish primary or elective PCI services or relocate PCI services already in existence. The Certificate of Conformance review schedules are posted in the Maryland Register and on the MHCC website.
MHCC staff evaluate the application in accordance with the State Health Plan and applicable review criteria, including need, access, institutional resources, quality, volume, and financial viability. A staff report and recommendation are prepared and presented to the Commission. The Commission then issues a final decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.
The Certificate of Ongoing Performance process begins with the filing of a formal application requesting approval to continue providing cardiac surgery or PCI services. The Certificate of Ongoing Performance data review schedules are posted in the Maryland Register and on the MHCC website.
MHCC staff evaluate the application in accordance with the State Health Plan and applicable review criteria, including data collection, institutional resources, quality, patient outcome measures, physician resources, volume, and patient selection. A staff report and recommendation are prepared and presented to the Commission. The Commission then issues a final decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.
The Commission does not administer an annual survey of Cardiac Care services.