What Shortage Area Is Required for a Conrad 30 Waiver?
Conrad 30 commonly uses federal Health Professional Shortage Area and Medically Underserved Area or Population designations to establish that the physician will serve an underserved community.
HPSAs identify shortages of health professionals
HRSA designates Health Professional Shortage Areas based on shortages affecting geographic areas, populations, or facilities.
MUA and MUP designations are also used
HRSA identifies Medically Underserved Areas and Medically Underserved Populations, and its current shortage-designation materials identify the J-1 waiver program as one of the programs that uses these designations.
DOS requires shortage evidence in the state package
Current DOS instructions require evidence that the hiring facility is in a HPSA or MUA for the standard Conrad route and require the state's designated official to identify the applicable HPSA information.
Flex is the principal federal location exception
Up to ten state recommendations may support qualifying facilities outside the designated geographic area when they serve patients who reside in designated shortage areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HPSA?
A Health Professional Shortage Area is an HHS shortage designation administered through HRSA.
Can MUA or MUP designations be relevant?
Yes. Federal and state J-1 waiver programs use underserved-area and population designations.
Can the facility be outside the shortage area?
Potentially through a qualifying flex placement.
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