Defining Health Professional Shortage Areas

The Federal Government has developed criteria to designate areas of the country as health professional shortage areas, or HPSAs. These criteria include:

• The geographic area is rational for the delivery of health services
• A specified population-to-clinician ratio representing shortage is exceeded within the area
• Resources in contiguous areas are over utilized, excessively distant, or otherwise inaccessible

If a geographic area does not meet these criteria, but a population group within the area has access barriers, a population group designation may be appropriate. In some cases, individual facilities may be designated as HPSAs.

Automatic facility HPSA scoring update

Impact on Rural Health Clinics

The Application Process

To apply for HPSA designation, submit an application to the Shortage Designation Branch (SDB) with the following information:

1. A map showing the boundaries of the requested designation area.
2. The number of persons located in the area or in the population group. Information should be based on the most recent available census or State population estimate.
3. The number of full-time equivalent, non-Federal clinicians available to provide patient care to the area or population group.
4. The availability and accessibility of clinicians in neighboring areas.
5. Indicators that the area/population has an unusually high need or insufficient health care resources capacity (high infant mortality rate, high poverty level, etc.).
6. For population group designations, describe the barriers that limit that population group’s access to health care.

The Acceptance Process

• The SDB maintains a 30-day comment period during which all parties may submit information relevant to the designation criteria. All submitted information is validated using current census figures and other data.
• If criteria are not met, applicants may resubmit the request with any relevant additional information to the Bureau Director through the Reconsideration Process. A final decision based on the additional information will be made within 45 days.
• If criteria are met, the applicant is sent information on how to apply for assistance in site development or recruitment and retention assistance from the NHSC.

For More Information

For more detailed information on obtaining HPSA designation for your community, visit the SDB Web site.