Shortage designation identifies an area, population, or facility experiencing a shortage of health care services.
Types of shortage designation:
- Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSAs)
- Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs)
- Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) and Medically Underserved Populations (MUP)
HPSAs are geographic areas, population groups, or healthcare facilities designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as having a shortage of healthcare professionals.
MCTAs are areas within an existing Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) that are experiencing a shortage of maternity healthcare professionals.
MUAs and MUPs identify geographic areas and populations that lack access to primary care services.
As part of a cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Arkansas State Primary Care Office (PCO) is responsible for assessing healthcare needs within the state. Based on this analysis, they identify areas that may qualify for federal shortage designations and prepare applications for HRSA’s review. If the submitted applications meet established eligibility standards, HRSA designates the area, population group, or facility accordingly. These designations—such as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), and Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs)—are key in determining eligibility for various federal programs aimed at improving healthcare access.
- Click to learn more about Scoring Shortage Designations.
- Click Find Shortage Areas to filter HPSAs by location, discipline, status, type, score, and rural status.
Contact Us
Rural Health & Primary Care
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 76
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-280-4529
Fax: 501-280-4706
[email protected]
