Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the 24-member negotiated rulemaking committee that is tasked to review criteria & methodology for designating Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA). Congratulations to the Director of Colorado’s Primary Care Office, Steve Holloway, who will be serving on the committee!!

HPSA and MUA methodologies date back to the 1970’s and have not been updated since. HPSA and MUA designations allow clinics, hospitals, and healthcare providers access to a host of incentives, which include: loan forgiveness programs, Medicare bonus payments, increased reimbursement rates, and the ability to be designated as a Rural Health Clinic, just to name a few. Fifty-seven (57) out of Colorado’s 64 counties have been designated for primary care health professional shortage.

For more general information on HPSAs and MUA, please visit the Health Resources & Services Administration website.

Click on the following to learn more about Colorado’s Primary Care Office and HPSA & MUA desingations in Colorado.