Healthcare shortage areas are two types of designation within the United States determined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Geographic areas can designate single or multiple counties, parts of cities, or other civil divisions depending on the state.
The primary factor used to determine an HPSA designation (as stipulated by federal regulations) is the ratio of health professionals to population (with consideration of high need).
For example, to qualify as an HPSA for primary medical care, the population to provider ratio must be at least 3,500 to 1 (3,000 to 1 if there are unusually high needs in the community).
PCOs use SDMS to manage health workforce data for their states and apply for HPSAs and Medically Underserved Areas/populations (MUAs/Ps).
[5][6] "Look-a-like" community-based providers which satisfy HRSA regulations for health centers but not the statutory requirements for grants are also automatically designated.
Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs) may include groups of persons who face economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers to health care.
[1] Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) Section 413(b) required CMS to revise some of the policies that address HPSA bonus payments.
Section 1833(m) of the Social Security Act provides bonus payments for physicians who furnish medical care services in geographic areas that are designated by the HRSA as primary medical care HPSAs under section 332 (a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.
Effective January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2015, physicians serving in designated HPSAs will receive an additional 10% bonus for major surgical procedures with a 10 or 90 day global period.