HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

KY · Healthcare shortage profile

Clinton County, KY

Home to 9,253 residents, with 2 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
2
Population
9,253
Peak shortage score
19.0
MUA Index
55.0

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 21053. Population: 9,253.

Clinton County, KY (population 9,253) has 1 primary care, 0 mental health, and 1 dental Health Professional Shortage Area designations active according to HRSA. The county is also designated a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) with an MUA Index of 55.0. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

1
Primary Care HPSAs
0
Mental Health HPSAs
1
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 17.0
Mental Health 18.0
Dental 19.0

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

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 55.0

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 2 active (designated) HPSAs in Clinton County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
LI-Clinton County dental 17.0
LI-Clinton County primary_care 15.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Clinton County

Clinton County, KY — population 9,253 carries 2 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 1 in primary care, 0 in mental health, and 1 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 55.0 on the MUA Index (lower scores indicate greater need). These three HPSA categories are evaluated independently by HRSA, so a county can show heavy pressure on one axis — for example mental-health access — while remaining closer to the provider ratio threshold for primary care.

The county's highest shortage-severity score across the three categories is 19.0, which crosses the 17-point threshold HRSA uses to flag high-priority shortage areas eligible for National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary-care scoring reached 17.0 (0–25 scale). Mental-health scoring reached 18.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 19.0 (0–26 scale). HPSA scores weight the provider-to-population ratio, poverty rate, travel time to the nearest source of care, and — for dental — water fluoridation status. They are recalculated as HRSA updates its quarterly designation cycle.

HRSA lists 2 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Clinton County, covering the specific facilities, geographies, and population groups that received the designation; the table above shows the most severe. This designation data is the basis for more than thirty federal programs — loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps, Medicare bonus payments, Community Health Center grants, and J-1 visa waivers — which together channel billions of dollars annually to recruit providers into HPSAs. These figures describe structural access to care only; they are not a substitute for medical advice, and patients searching for a specific appointment should contact a provider directly or consult their insurance network.

Clinton County designations by care type

Active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the county, by provider category.

designations
Source HRSA Data Warehouse — designated HPSAs As of 2025

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse — Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) + Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) HPSA primary-care, mental-health, and dental designations for Clinton County, KY · 2024 HRSA designation data updated quarterly; HPSA scores 0-25 (primary/mental) and 0-26 (dental); higher = greater shortage severity. Coverage tiers from U.S. Census ACS PUMS + KFF state tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many healthcare shortage areas does Clinton County have?

Clinton County, KY has 2 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 1 in primary care, 0 in mental health, and 1 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Clinton County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Clinton County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 55.0. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.

What does an HPSA score mean?

HPSA scores range from 0 to 25 for primary care and mental health (0 to 26 for dental). Higher scores indicate greater shortage severity. Areas with scores of 17 or above are considered high-priority shortage areas eligible for National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

What healthcare providers are needed in Clinton County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Clinton County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), 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.

How are HPSA designations used by federal programs?

HPSA designations determine eligibility for over 30 federal programs, including National Health Service Corps placements, Community Health Center grants, Medicare bonus payments (10% for physicians in HPSAs), J-1 visa waiver programs for international medical graduates, and Rural Health Clinic certification. These programs channel billions of dollars annually to underserved communities.

How does Clinton County compare to other counties in KY?

Clinton County has 2 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 19.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in KY on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Clinton County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 21053. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.

Related

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.

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