HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

MT · Healthcare shortage profile

Lake County, MT

Home to 31,134 residents, with 38 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
38
Population
31,134
Peak shortage score
21.0
MUA Index
0.0
MT state overview → About this data

The verdict

Lake County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 38 active HPSA designations, more than 98% of the 2,991 US counties with a designated shortage, with mental health the deepest gap.

38
Active HPSA designations
12
Primary-care shortages
21
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 2%
US counties by volume

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 30047. Population: 31,134.

Lake County, MT (population 31,134) has 12 primary care, 13 mental health, and 13 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 0.0. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

12
Primary Care HPSAs
13
Mental Health HPSAs
13
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 19.0
Mental Health 21.0
Dental 21.0

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

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 0.0

Lake County vs. every US county

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

38 Top 2% higher than 98% 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 38 active (designated) HPSAs in Lake County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
FLATHEAD TRIBAL CLINIC mental_health 20.0
Arlee Health Center mental_health 20.0
FLATHEAD TRIBAL CLINIC primary_care 19.0
LI - Lake County mental_health 19.0
ELMO HEALTH CENTER mental_health 19.0
Ronan Health Center mental_health 19.0
POLSON HEALTH CENTER mental_health 19.0
St. Ignatius Health Center primary_care 18.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RONAN mental_health 18.0
Salish Kootenai College Health Center mental_health 18.0
St. Ignatius Health Center mental_health 18.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RONAN primary_care 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RIDGEWATER primary_care 17.0
Arlee Health Center primary_care 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC POLSON primary_care 17.0
PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER POLSON primary_care 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC ST IGNATIUS primary_care 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC POLSON mental_health 17.0
PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER POLSON mental_health 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RIDGEWATER mental_health 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC POLSON dental 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RIDGEWATER dental 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC RONAN dental 17.0
PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER POLSON dental 17.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC ST IGNATIUS mental_health 16.0
ST LUKE COMMUNITY CLINIC ST IGNATIUS dental 15.0
LI - Lake County dental 13.0
Arlee Health Center dental 12.0
POLSON HEALTH CENTER primary_care 11.0
Ronan Health Center primary_care 11.0
Salish Kootenai College Health Center primary_care 11.0
POLSON HEALTH CENTER dental 11.0
Ronan Health Center dental 11.0
Salish Kootenai College Health Center dental 10.0
ELMO HEALTH CENTER primary_care 9.0
ELMO HEALTH CENTER dental 9.0
FLATHEAD TRIBAL CLINIC dental 9.0
St. Ignatius Health Center dental 6.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Lake County

Lake County, MT - population 31,134 carries 38 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 12 in primary care, 13 in mental health, and 13 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 0.0 on the MUA Index (lower scores indicate greater need).

The county's highest shortage-severity score across the three categories is 21.0, 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 21.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 21.0 (0–26 scale).

HRSA lists 38 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Lake County, covering the specific facilities, geographies, and population groups that received the designation; the table above shows the most severe.

Lake 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 Lake County, MT · 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 Lake County's data

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

  • Lake County's 38 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 mental health burden compares with the rest of MT before you draw conclusions from a single score. MT 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 Lake 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 Lake County have?

Lake County, MT has 38 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 12 in primary care, 13 in mental health, and 13 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Lake County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Lake County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 0.0. 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 Lake County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Lake 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 Lake County compare to other counties in MT?

Lake County has 38 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 21.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in MT on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Lake County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Learn More About Healthcare Shortages

Explore more MT shortage data

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 30047. 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.