Medically Underserved Area High-priority · dental care only

ID · Healthcare shortage profile

Lewis County, ID

Home to 3,533 residents, with 6 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
6
Population
3,533
Peak shortage score
20.0
MUA Index
52.0

Mid-burden verdict

According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Lewis County holds a moderate federal shortage burden - 6 active HPSA designations, more than 54% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.

6
Active HPSA designations
2
Dental shortages
20
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 46%
US counties by volume

Lewis County vs. every real US county

Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none

6 Top 46% higher than 54% 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. Lewis County falls in the upper half of ID counties by active-designation volume, at rank 18 of 44. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 16061. Population: 3,533.

Single high-priority discipline

Lewis County's only high-priority (≥17) footprint is dental care

Current HRSA Data Warehouse rows attribute 2 active dental care designations to Lewis County , with a peak score of 20.0. 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 dental care records.

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 52.0

Active HPSA scores

Primary Care 13.0
Mental Health 16.0
Dental 20.0

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

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 6 active (designated) HPSAs in Lewis County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
Kamiah Health Center dental 20.0
North Central District 2 mental_health 16.0
Kamiah Health Center mental_health 16.0
LI - Lewis County primary_care 13.0
LI - Lewis County dental 12.0
Kamiah Health Center primary_care 11.0

Moderate-burden reading for Lewis County

Dental care carries Lewis County's deepest shortage reading, 20.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 13.0 of 25; Mental health reads 16.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 52.0, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.

Lewis County sits in the middle of the national designation-volume distribution (above 54% of counties) with 6 active records. That is enough for a formal shortage footprint without landing in the heaviest US tier. Compare the three discipline counts (2/2/2) before assuming every care category is equally short.

Lewis County falls in the upper half of ID counties by active-designation volume, at rank 18 of 44. For moderate counties, the useful move is usually a state peer check plus the score cards above, not a national superlative claim.

Acting on Lewis County's high-priority dental care

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

  • Lewis County's high-priority dental care designations are where NHSC placement geography concentrates, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
  • See how the county's dental care burden compares with the rest of ID before drawing conclusions from a single score. ID 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.

Nearby dental score peers

Closest U.S. counties on active dental HPSA score to Lewis County's 20.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lewis County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Lewis County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 52.0. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.

How many healthcare shortage areas does Lewis County have?

Lewis County, ID has 6 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 2 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

What does Lewis County's HPSA score of 20.0 mean?

20.0 in dental care 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 Lewis County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Lewis 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.

Next read: Dental Shortage in America · ID state overview · NHSC loan repayment

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 16061. 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 →