Session Description: Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) and Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs) are designations used by the federal government to identify specific geographic areas and populations that have a shortage of primary care health services. A Health Center must serve a Medically Underserved Area / Population in order receive HRSA funding or be designated as a Look-Alike Health Center.
This session will highlight the implications of updating MUAs/MUPs on health centers in addition to what this process may look like at the national, state, and local level. Faculty will review other methodologies, such as the Service Area Needs Assessment Methodology (SANAM) and Unmet Needs Score (UNS), in addition to tools that support assessing need in your service area such as the GeoCare Navigator Tool, UNS Map Tool, and more. Finally, This session will highlight the importance of reviewing your service area, conducting your needs assessment, and working with your state Primary Care Organization (PCO) as necessary - while leveraging the most accurate data - to understand and ensure your health center provides appropriate access to care
Learning Objectives:
Provide an overview of Medically Underserved Populations/Areas, how they are defined, and the implications for Health Centers.
Highlight models for updating your MUA/MUP and understanding how your Health Center's score may change.
Describe strategies for conducting your needs assessment and integrating needs assessment methodologies into the process.
