Health Professional Shortage Area Designation
Maps: Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations are used to identify areas and population groups within the United States that are experiencing a shortage of health professionals.
| Map (PDF) | Description |
| Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) | Map of the areas in Oklahoma that meet federal criteria for shortages of Primary Care Physicians. |
| Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) | Map of the areas in Oklahoma that meet federal criteria for shortages of Dentists and Dental Hygienists. |
| Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) | Map of the areas in Oklahoma that meet federal criteria for shortages of Psychiatrists. |
Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)
MUAs and MUPs identify geographic areas and populations with a lack of access to primary care services. These designations help establish health maintenance organizations or community health centers.
MUPs have a shortage of primary care health services for a specific population subset within a geographic area. These groups may face economic, cultural, or language barriers to health care.
| Map (PDF) | Description |
| Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) | Map of the areas in Oklahoma that meet federal criteria for a shortage of health care services. |
| Medically Underserved Areas - Oklahoma County | Map of the areas in Oklahoma County that meet federal criteria for a shortage of health care services. |
| Medically Underserved Areas - Tulsa County | Map of the areas in Tulsa County that meet federal criteria for a shortage of health care services. |
Shortage Area Resources and Data
| Website | Description |
| Health Resources & Services Administration | Federal agency for improving access to health care and designating underserved areas. |
| Health Professional Shortage Areas Locator | Online tool to Health Professional Shortage Areas in Oklahoma. |
| Medically Underserved Areas | Online tool to locate Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) in Oklahoma. |
| Oklahoma Primary Care Association | Nonprofit association for the state's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). |
| Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) | Resources related to the SoonerCare (Medicaid) Program. |
The Primary Care Office conducts health workforce needs assessments and identifies areas of the state that meet federal criteria for Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) designation. For more information on the HPSA designation process, please visit: What Is Shortage Designation? | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov)
To apply for or request an update to a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, follow these steps:
- Contact the Oklahoma Primary Care Office (OKPCO):
Jana Castleberry
OKPCO Director
JanaC@health.ok.gov
(405) 426-8624 - Submit Data: Provide the necessary data. This includes information about the population, health care providers, and any barriers to accessing care in your area.
- OKPCO Submits Application: The OKPCO will submit the designation application to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on your behalf.
- HRSA Review: HRSA reviews the application to ensure it meets the eligibility criteria. If approved, your area will be designated as an HPSA.
For more detailed information, you can visit What Is Shortage Designation? | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov)
| Link | Description |
| Geographic HPSA Physician Bonus Payments | CMS pays 10% (of amount paid by patients) quarterly bonus payment in geographic Primary Care (or sometimes geographic Mental Health HPSAs) to clinics with physicians providing services to patients in the designated area. |
| Physician Bonus Payments Address Search | Learn if a physical address is located somewhere a clinic would qualify for bonus payments. |
| CMS Physician Bonus Payment Program Fact Sheet | Issued in March 2024, the fact sheet summarizes all the recent changes to the program. |
Request assessment or data
Please send requests via email for assessments or data to JanaC@health.ok.gov.
Contact Information
Jana Castleberry
Director, Office of Primary Care & Rural Health Development
(405) 426-8624
JanaC@health.ok.gov
Melanie Reese, MSW
Office of Primary Care Project Manager
(405) 426-8656
Melanie.R@health.ok.gov
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Office of Primary Care and Rural Health Development
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address: (appointment required)
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
