MUAs and MUPs identify geographic areas and populations with a lack of access to primary care services. These designations help establish health maintenance organizations or community health centers.

​

MUAs have a shortage of primary care health services within geographic areas such as:

​

• A whole county

• A group of neighboring counties

• A group of urban census tracts

• A group of county or civil divisions.

​

MUPs have a shortage of primary care health services for a specific population subset within a geographic area. These groups may face economic, cultural, or language barriers to health care.

Some examples include:

​

• People experiencing homelessness

• People who are low-income

• People who are eligible for Medicaid

• Native Americans

• Migrant farm workers