PCPs Needed for the Nation’s Health Professional Shortage Areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates that 8,200 additional primary care physicians are needed to eliminate the current primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act these numbers are likely to increase in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

In the June 25 Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and HRSA published the latest lists of designated primary medical care, mental health, and dental HPSAs.

As defined by federal regulation, these areas include (1) urban and rural geographic areas with shortages of health professionals, (2) population groups with such shortages, and (3) facilities with such shortages.

Pennsylvania HPSAs can be searched by address or county. Pennsylvania physicians currently practicing in HPSAs may be eligible for the Medicare Physician Bonus Payment, payments made to physicians who provide medical care services in HRSA-designated primary medical care HPSAs and to psychiatrists who provide services in HRSA-designated mental health HPSAs. Physicians interested in primary care jobs located in a Pennsylvania HPSA may also search the National Health Services Corp Job Center.

More information is available on HRSA’s website.