Health Professional Shortage Area Bonus

Medicare gives a 10% bonus to providers who are working in areas experiencing a shortage of health care providers.  This bonus is called the Health Professional Shortage Area Bonus and applies mainly to primary care providers. 

However, if an area does not have a geographic primary care HPSA designation, but does have a geographic mental health HPSA designation, then only psychiatrists furnishing services to Medicare beneficiaries in the designated area are eligible for the ten percent bonus.

To find out if your area is covered, check your zip code here:
http://datawarehouse.hrsa.gov/GeoAdvisor/ShortageDesignationAdvisor.aspx

To learn more about this bonus, go to:
http://www.cms.gov/hpsapsaphysicianbonuses/01_overview.asp

or review MLN Matters® Article, MM7517:
http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM7517.pdf