Minnesota Certificate of Need Laws
Minnesota
Moderate
Year Enacted
—
Services Regulated
—
National Rank
21 of 51
Top Systems
- Mayo Clinic
- Allina Health
Reform Status
CON Law Repealed 1984
Key Case
2024 Rehab Hospital Denial Recommendation
Minnesota replaced its traditional CON program with a hospital construction moratorium, creating a unique and complex regulatory environment.
4 Services Held Hostage
- ✓Hospitals
- ✓Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)
- ✓Nursing Homes / Long-Term Care
- ✓Imaging (MRI, CT, PET)
The Permission Process
Notably, ambulatory surgery centers and imaging centers are not subject to this review.
150 days for MDH review, plus legislative action
Minnesota repealed its formal CON law in 1984 but replaced it with a hospital construction moratorium that functions as a significant barrier to entry. While not a comprehensive CON regime, the moratorium and the associated Public Interest Review process still require legislative approval for new hospitals and bed expansions, effectively limiting competition.
The Minnesota Healthcare Cartel
Insurer Dominance
- Insurer Market Share
- The insurance market is similarly concentrated:
- Our comprehensive overview of Certificate of Need laws across the United States.
The Twin Cities market is dominated by three systems controlling ~70% of revenue:
Virtual monopoly in the Rochester hospital market.
2024 Rehab Hospital Denial Recommendation
2024 Rehab Hospital Denial Recommendation
CON Law Repealed 1984
CON Law Repealed 1984
Minnesota's moratorium primarily targets:
Data sourced from state agencies, Cicero Institute, and public records.
Last updated: April 2026