California Primary Care Office
About the California Primary Care Office (PCO)
The core functions include:
- Organizational Effectiveness/Foster Collaboration with stakeholders;
- Technical Assistance to Organizations/Communities wishing to Expand Access to Primary Care for Underserved Populations;
- Assessment of Needs/Sharing Data;
- Workforce Development for the NHSC and Safety Net/Health Center Network;
- Shortage Designation Applications and Updates.
The California Primary Care Office is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW). The purpose of this funding is to improve primary care service delivery and workforce availability in the State or territory to meet the needs of underserved populations by supporting the coordination of local, State, territorial, and Federal resources that contribute to improving the healthcare needs of underserved populations.
The PCO 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.
We are 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 provides funding for the program.
Technical Assistance
The PCO provides technical assistance to clinics and other primary care providers seeking recognition as a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area/Medically Underserved Population (MUA/MUP).
The Shortage Designation Program
The Shortage Designation Program provides technical assistance to clinics and healthcare 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 also provides technical assistance to clinics and healthcare providers seeking approval of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site certifications.
Please contact us to request provider surveys for primary care, dental or mental health or if you would like to request the most updated presentation on the application process.
Shortage Designation Provider Surveys
Provider surveys are used to validate federal provider database information, ensuring that Medical Service Study Areas that qualify for designations are accurately designated. The survey is completed by a stakeholder who will contact the listed providers to confirm their work address, hours providing direct patient care, Medi-Cal information, and sliding fee scale information as applicable. Completed surveys are returned to the PCO to be analyzed and uploaded to the Shortage Designation Management System to complete a HPSA designation application.
The PCO issues shortage designation provider surveys on a first-come, first-served basis to prevent duplication of work. Stakeholders requesting a survey, known as “applicants”, are required to complete it in a timely manner and submit accurate data. Applicants must provide regular status updates to the PCO team upon request. If timely updates are not received, the survey will be reassigned to another stakeholder. The PCO reserves the right to spot-check submissions and will correct any discrepancies identified. The PCO maintains a waitlist to ensure the next stakeholder has an opportunity to complete the survey if it is reassigned.
The PCO will only release the contact information of the applicant if written permission is provided by the applicant. Upon request, the PCO may share a stakeholder’s contact information with the applicant so the applicant may initiate contact.
Resources
To Find a Health Professional Shortage Area, Click on One of the Buttons Below
For more information about HRSA, learn more here.
Designation (HPSA or MUA/MUP) Needed to Qualify for Selected Federal Program Assistance
