HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

NM · Healthcare shortage profile

Sandoval County, NM

Home to 148,834 residents, with 37 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
37
Population
148,834
Peak shortage score
24.0
MUA Index
34.1
NM state overview → About this data

The verdict

Sandoval County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 37 active HPSA designations, more than 98% of the 2,991 US counties with a designated shortage, with mental health the deepest gap.

37
Active HPSA designations
12
Primary-care shortages
24
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 2%
US counties by volume

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 35043. Population: 148,834.

Sandoval County, NM (population 148,834) has 12 primary care, 13 mental health, and 12 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 34.1. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

12
Primary Care HPSAs
13
Mental Health HPSAs
12
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 20.0
Mental Health 21.0
Dental 24.0

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

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 34.1

Sandoval County vs. every US county

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

37 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 37 active (designated) HPSAs in Sandoval County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
PUEBLO PINTADO HEALTH STATION dental 24.0
JEMEZ HEALTH CENTER dental 22.0
PUEBLO PINTADO HEALTH STATION mental_health 21.0
JEMEZ HEALTH CENTER mental_health 21.0
KEWA PUEBLO HEALTH CORPORATION primary_care 20.0
COCHITI DENTAL CLINIC primary_care 20.0
PUEBLO PINTADO HEALTH STATION primary_care 20.0
COCHITI HEALTH STATION primary_care 20.0
JEMEZ HEALTH CENTER primary_care 20.0
COCHITI HEALTH STATION mental_health 20.0
KEWA PUEBLO HEALTH CORPORATION dental 20.0
SANTA ANNA HEALTH STATION dental 20.0
San Felipe Health Station dental 20.0
SANDIA HEALTH CENTER dental 20.0
COCHITI HEALTH STATION dental 20.0
ZIA HEALTH STATION dental 20.0
Santa Ana Health Station primary_care 19.0
ZIA HEALTH STATION primary_care 19.0
San Felipe Health Station primary_care 19.0
SANDIA HEALTH CENTER primary_care 19.0
SANTA ANNA HEALTH STATION primary_care 19.0
EL PUEBLO HEALTH SERVICES INC primary_care 19.0
KEWA PUEBLO HEALTH CORPORATION mental_health 19.0
San Felipe Health Station mental_health 19.0
COCHITI DENTAL CLINIC mental_health 19.0
Santa Ana Health Station dental 19.0
COCHITI DENTAL CLINIC dental 19.0
EL PUEBLO HEALTH SERVICES INC dental 19.0
SANDIA HEALTH CENTER mental_health 18.0
ZIA HEALTH STATION mental_health 18.0
EL PUEBLO HEALTH SERVICES INC mental_health 18.0
SANTA ANNA HEALTH STATION mental_health 18.0
PUEBLO OF JEMEZ dental 17.0
PUEBLO OF JEMEZ primary_care 16.0
Santa Ana Health Station mental_health 16.0
Sandoval County mental_health 15.0
PUEBLO OF JEMEZ mental_health 14.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Sandoval County

Sandoval County, NM - population 148,834 carries 37 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 12 in primary care, 13 in mental health, and 12 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 34.1 on the MUA Index (lower scores indicate greater need).

The county's highest shortage-severity score across the three categories is 24.0, 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 20.0 (0–25 scale). Mental-health scoring reached 21.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 24.0 (0–26 scale).

HRSA lists 37 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Sandoval County, covering the specific facilities, geographies, and population groups that received the designation; the table above shows the most severe.

Sandoval 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 Sandoval County, NM · 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 Sandoval County's data

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

  • Sandoval County's 37 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 NM before you draw conclusions from a single score. NM 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 Sandoval County's 20.0.

San Diego County, CA

20.0 score 3,298,634 pop.

Kings County, NY

20.0 score 2,736,074 pop.

New York County, NY

20.0 score 1,694,251 pop.

Alameda County, CA

20.0 score 1,682,353 pop.

Franklin County, OH

20.0 score 1,323,807 pop.

Wake County, NC

20.0 score 1,129,410 pop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many healthcare shortage areas does Sandoval County have?

Sandoval County, NM has 37 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 12 in primary care, 13 in mental health, and 12 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Sandoval County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Sandoval County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 34.1. 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 Sandoval County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Sandoval 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 Sandoval County compare to other counties in NM?

Sandoval County has 37 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 24.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in NM on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Sandoval County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Learn More About Healthcare Shortages

Explore more NM shortage data

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 35043. 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.