Shortage Designation Program

The Shortage Designation Program (SDP) provides technical assistance to clinics and other primary care providers seeking recognition as a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for Primary Care, Dental Health, and Mental Health disciplines or Medically Underserved Area/Medically Underserved Population (MUA/MUP). SDP provides data analysis services and liaisons between the federal government and healthcare provider sites applying for HPSA or MUA/MUP status. Shortage designations:

• Enable clinics to be eligible for assignment of National Health Services Corp Personnel or apply for Rural Health Clinic Certification, Federally Qualified Health Center status (FQHC), FQHC Look-Alike, or New Start/Expansion program, depending on the designation
• Promote OSHPD's mission of "Equitable Healthcare Accessibility for California"

The program is the State's liaison to the federal Shortage Designation Branch (SDB) of Health Resources and Services Administration, The program was authorized by Congress as the Emergency Health Personnel Act of 1970 under the U.S. Public Health Service Act. The federal government funds the program. Criteria, amendments, and authorizations:

• Section 330 (MUA/MUP)
• Section 332 (HPSA)
• Health Care Safety Net Amendments 2002 (Automatic Facility HPSA designation) FAQs

Announcements!

• 2010 HPSA Renewals (Due Date: September 30, 2013) This notification includes the due date and federal requirements for the Annual Review of the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) that were designated or last updated in 2010. The enclosed listings show those HPSAs (Primary Care, Dental and Mental Health disciplines) designated or last updated in 2010. Submit 2010 HPSA updates to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) no later than August 1, 2013. OSHPD will notify all original applicants and County health agencies. 2010 Annual HPSA Renewal List