The purpose of this survey is to collect information that is used to assess primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in Alaska. HPSA designations identify areas which have a shortage of health care providers. Federal and State of Alaska programs use HPSA designations to direct resources such as grants, loan repayment programs, and training to areas with unmet primary care, dental and mental health needs. Accurate information is vital to maintain HPSA designations which reflect the primary care needs in Alaska.
Additionally, HPSA designated areas are scored to determine their eligibility for National Health Service Corps loan repayment programs. Again, accurate information is vital to acquire a score that reflects the true status of primary care services in Alaska. This is the first year that Maternal Care Target Areas (MCTA) will be included in the scoring criteria, and we expect that this category will improve Alaska's HPSA scores.
You can help by: completing this survey by March 31, 2025, and by contacting us via email when primary care physicians (physical, dental, mental) and certified nurse midwives stop working at your location.
Common programs relying on HPSA designations include:
· National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps
· SHARP Loan Repayment
· J-1 Visa Waiver
· CMS Medicare Incentive Payment
Please complete a separate survey for each physician working at this practice location for these primary care types:
-Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN
-General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry
-Psychiatry
-Certified Nurse Midwives - This is the only non-physician professional included in this survey. (We are very grateful for the critical services provided by all mid-level practitioners in Alaska. However, make it easy on yourself and provide information ONLY for CNMs.)