What is a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)? HPSAs are defined service areas that demonstrate a critical shortage of primary care physicians, dentists, or mental health providers.  A HPSA can be a distinct geographic area (such as a county or grouping or census tracts, townships, or boroughs), a specific population group within a defined geographic area (such as the population under 200% of pverty), or a specific public or non-profit facility (such as a prison).

What is a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) or Medically Underserved Population (MUP)? MUA/Ps identify areas or populations with a shortage of health care services.  Documentation of shortage includes several factors in addition to the availability of health care providers.  These factors include infant mortality rate, poverty rate, and percentage of population aged 65 or over.

How does the Department assist with applications? The Bureau of Health Planning generates applications by utilizing the Application Submission and Processing System (ASAPS).  This software provides a comprehensive analysis of demographic data sets, health provider survey data, and geographic attributes to generate applications.  Bureau staff work with community partners to determine if an area/population meets federal criteria for designation.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions