HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

MI · Healthcare shortage profile

Isabella County, MI

Home to 64,394 residents, with 27 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
27
Population
64,394
Peak shortage score
22.0
MUA Index
56.9
MI state overview → About this data

The verdict

Isabella County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 27 active HPSA designations, more than 97% of the 2,991 US counties with a designated shortage, with primary care the deepest gap.

27
Active HPSA designations
9
Primary-care shortages
22
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 3%
US counties by volume

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 26073. Population: 64,394.

Isabella County, MI (population 64,394) has 9 primary care, 9 mental health, and 9 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 56.9. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

9
Primary Care HPSAs
9
Mental Health HPSAs
9
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 19.0
Mental Health 19.0
Dental 22.0

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

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 56.9

Isabella County vs. every US county

Total active HPSA designations, how this county's shortage volume compares nationally

27 Top 3% higher than 97% of 2,991 US counties

0–20: 2,828 US counties (95%). Below this entry. 20–40: 124 US counties (4%). This entry sits in this band. 40–60: 27 US counties (1%). Above this entry. 60–80: 6 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 80–100: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 100–120: 2 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 120–140: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 140–160: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 160–180: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 180–200: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 200–220: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 220–240: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 240–260: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 260–280: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. This county 0 280 every US county with a designation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more 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

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 27 active (designated) HPSAs in Isabella County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
LI - Isabella County dental 20.0
LI - Central Michigan MHCA mental_health 19.0
ISABELLA CITIZENS FOR HEALTH mental_health 19.0
ISABELLA CITIZENS FOR HEALTH dental 19.0
MCLAREN CENTRAL MICHIGAN-HEALTH PARK 4 mental_health 17.0
MCLAREN HEALTH PARK 7 mental_health 17.0
MCLAREN MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING dental 17.0
MCLAREN CENTRAL MICHIGAN-HEALTH PARK 4 dental 17.0
MCLAREN HEALTH PARK 7 dental 17.0
ISABELLA CITIZENS FOR HEALTH primary_care 16.0
LI-Isabella County primary_care 16.0
MIDMICHIGAN HEALTH PARK - MT PLEASANT mental_health 16.0
MCLAREN PICKARD STREET mental_health 16.0
MCLAREN PICKARD STREET primary_care 15.0
MIDMICHIGAN HEALTH PARK - MT PLEASANT primary_care 15.0
MCLAREN CENTRAL MICHIGAN-HEALTH PARK 4 primary_care 15.0
MCLAREN MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING primary_care 15.0
MCLAREN HEALTH PARK 7 primary_care 15.0
Nimkee Memorial Health Center mental_health 15.0
Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health mental_health 15.0
MCLAREN PICKARD STREET dental 15.0
MIDMICHIGAN HEALTH PARK - MT PLEASANT dental 15.0
MCLAREN MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING mental_health 14.0
Nimkee Memorial Health Center dental 5.0
Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health dental 4.0
Nimkee Memorial Health Center primary_care 3.0
Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health primary_care 3.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Isabella County

Isabella County, MI - population 64,394 carries 27 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 9 in primary care, 9 in mental health, and 9 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 56.9 on the MUA Index (lower scores indicate greater need).

The county's highest shortage-severity score across the three categories is 22.0, 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 19.0 (0–25 scale). Mental-health scoring reached 19.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 22.0 (0–26 scale).

HRSA lists 27 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Isabella County, covering the specific facilities, geographies, and population groups that received the designation; the table above shows the most severe.

Isabella 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 2026

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) + Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) HPSA primary-care, mental-health, and dental designations for Isabella County, MI · 2026 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.

What to do with Isabella County's data

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

  • Isabella County's 27 active designations make providers here eligible for National Health Service Corps loan repayment, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
  • See how the county's primary care burden compares with the rest of MI before you draw conclusions from a single score. MI overview
  • Check whether an area clears HRSA's 3,500:1 population-to-provider threshold with the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score. HPSA score estimator

HPSA scores describe structural access to care, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; designations are reviewed by HRSA each quarter.

Counties With a Similar Primary Care Shortage Score

Other U.S. counties whose HRSA primary-care HPSA score is closest to Isabella County's 19.0.

Orange County, CA

19.0 score 3,186,989 pop.

Riverside County, CA

19.0 score 2,418,185 pop.

Queens County, NY

19.0 score 2,405,464 pop.

San Bernardino County, CA

19.0 score 2,181,654 pop.

Sacramento County, CA

19.0 score 1,585,055 pop.

Bronx County, NY

19.0 score 1,472,654 pop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many healthcare shortage areas does Isabella County have?

Isabella County, MI has 27 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 9 in primary care, 9 in mental health, and 9 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Isabella County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Isabella County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 56.9. 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 Isabella County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Isabella 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.

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 Isabella County compare to other counties in MI?

Isabella County has 27 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 22.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in MI on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Isabella County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Learn More About Healthcare Shortages

Explore more MI shortage data

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 26073. 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Every figure on PlainHealthAccess is rendered directly from HRSA source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page lists every HPSA and MUA designation on record for the county. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026.