HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

VA · Healthcare shortage profile

Nottoway County, VA

Home to 15,642 residents, with 7 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
7
Population
15,642
Peak shortage score
21.0
MUA Index
59.3

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 51135. Population: 15,642.

Nottoway County, VA (population 15,642) has 2 primary care, 2 mental health, and 3 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 59.3. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

2
Primary Care HPSAs
2
Mental Health HPSAs
3
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 18.0
Mental Health 21.0
Dental 18.0

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

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 59.3

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 7 active (designated) HPSAs in Nottoway County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
Nottoway Correctional Center mental_health 21.0
CF-Nottoway Correctional Center primary_care 18.0
HN - Crossroads MHCA mental_health 17.0
Nottoway County dental 15.0
Nottoway Correctional Center dental 15.0
Nottoway County primary_care 10.0
Nottoway Correctional Center dental 6.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Nottoway County

Nottoway County, VA — population 15,642 carries 7 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 3 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 59.3 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 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 18.0 (0–25 scale). Mental-health scoring reached 21.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 18.0 (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 7 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Nottoway 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.

Nottoway 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 Nottoway County, VA · 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 Nottoway County have?

Nottoway County, VA has 7 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 3 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Nottoway County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Nottoway County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 59.3. 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 Nottoway County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Nottoway 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 Nottoway County compare to other counties in VA?

Nottoway County has 7 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 21.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in VA on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Nottoway County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 51135. 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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