Medically Underserved Area High-priority · mental health only

CO · Healthcare shortage profile

Morgan County, CO

Home to 29,111 residents, with 9 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
9
Population
29,111
Peak shortage score
17.0
MUA Index
MUA

Heavy-burden verdict

According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Morgan County carries a heavier shortage burden than most US counties - 9 active HPSA designations, more than 75% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.

9
Active HPSA designations
3
Mental-health shortages
17
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 25%
US counties by volume

Morgan County vs. every real US county

Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none

9 Top 25% higher than 75% of 3,289 real US counties

0–20: 3,115 real US counties (95%). This entry sits in this band. 20–40: 128 real US counties (4%). Above this entry. 40–60: 32 real US counties (1%). Above this entry. 60–80: 7 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 80–100: 2 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 100–120: 1 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 120–140: 2 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 140–160: 1 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 160–180: 0 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 180–200: 0 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 200–220: 0 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 220–240: 0 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 240–260: 0 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. 260–280: 1 real US counties (0%). Above this entry. This county 0 280 every real US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026

State peer position. Morgan County falls in the upper quarter of CO counties by active-designation volume, at rank 6 of 64. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 08087. Population: 29,111.

Single high-priority discipline

Morgan County's only high-priority (≥17) footprint is mental health

Current HRSA Data Warehouse rows attribute 3 active mental health designations to Morgan County , with a peak score of 17.0. Other care categories may still be designated here, but none of them clear HRSA's high-priority score line of 17 on the current release, NHSC and related instruments concentrate on the mental health records.

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated

Peak severity scores

Primary Care 14.0
Mental Health 17.0
Dental 13.0

Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 9 active (designated) HPSAs in Morgan County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
Banner Health Clinic Fort Morgan mental_health 17.0
Banner Family Medicine Brush mental_health 17.0
Banner Family Medicine Brush primary_care 14.0
LI - Morgan County primary_care 14.0
Banner Health Clinic Fort Morgan primary_care 14.0
Centennial Mental Health Catchment Area mental_health 13.0
Banner Family Medicine Brush dental 13.0
Banner Health Clinic Fort Morgan dental 13.0
LI-Morgan County dental 8.0

Heavy-burden reading for Morgan County

Morgan County's severest measured gap is in mental health, scored 17.0 of 25, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 14.0 of 25; Dental care reads 13.0 of 26. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, a separate HRSA designation from the HPSA records above.

Volume places Morgan County above 75% of real US counties (9 active designations: 3 primary care, 3 mental health, 3 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 17.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.

Morgan County falls in the upper quarter of CO counties by active-designation volume, at rank 6 of 64. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.

Acting on Morgan County's high-priority mental health

Morgan County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.

  • Morgan County's high-priority mental health designations are where NHSC placement geography concentrates, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
  • See how the county's mental health burden compares with the rest of CO before drawing conclusions from a single score. CO overview
  • Check the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score against HRSA's designation thresholds. HPSA ratio checker

HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.

Counties With a Similar Mental Health Shortage Score

Other U.S. counties whose active HRSA mental-health HPSA score is closest to Morgan County's 17.0. This compares the designation score only, not local appointment availability or care quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Morgan County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Morgan County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is not available. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.

How many healthcare shortage areas does Morgan County have?

Morgan County, CO has 9 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 3 in primary care, 3 in mental health, and 3 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

What does Morgan County's HPSA score of 17.0 mean?

17.0 in mental health clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.

What healthcare providers are needed in Morgan County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Morgan County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.

Which federal programs do Morgan County's designations unlock?

Morgan County's 9 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.

How does Morgan County compare to other counties in CO?

Morgan County has 9 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 17.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in CO on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Morgan County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Next read: The Mental-Health Provider Shortage · CO state overview · NHSC loan repayment

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 08087. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →