The Health Professional Service Area designation was established by the Federal Office of Shortage Designation (OSD) to identify geographic areas or population groups with a shortage of primary health care services. HPSA designations are a prerequisite to applying for Rural Health Clinic certification, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, California’s State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), J-1 Visa waivers, and some state funding. A geographic HPSA designation can also increase Medicare payments for physician services.
Beginning this year, the OSD is requiring that all 2008 designations be submitted to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) no later than April 2, 2012. If you received a new designation or renewed it in 2008, you must reapply now. Failure to renew your designation will result in the loss of one or more benefits stated above.
HFS Consultants can assist you in renewing or applying for a new designation and submit all the necessary information to OSHPD. Our Licensing & Certification division has completed over one hundred HPSA designations for rural communities and has spoken on this subject throughout California. For more information, please contact Cecilia Murillo at 510.768.0066 ext. 288 or by email at ceciliam@hfsconsultants.com