In the next decade, California will need an additional 4,100 primary care providers to meet projected demand.1
Although insurance provides access to care, it does not ensure that everyone receives appropriate or high-quality care at the right time.2 An estimated 7 million Californians live in provider shortage areas, with shortfalls in access to primary, dental or mental healthcare providers.3 The shortage of health professionals impacts access to care, causing a significant delay in obtaining timely health services and resulting in barriers which negatively affect health outcomes. Access to comprehensive and quality healthcare services is important for physical, social, mental health, and overall quality of life.4 Access to care also promotes preventative measures, managing disease, and reducing unnecessary disability and premature death.4
This indicator tracks access to primary care providers based on the ratio of health professionals to population size. A primary care shortage area is defined as having a population greater than 2,000 per provider.
Access to Primary Care Providers
In 2018 (baseline year), 44.8% of Californians had insufficient access to a primary care provider (more than 2000 People per 1 Provider). The most recent rate available is 44.8 (2018). The target is to be determined (TBD) for this indicator.
Baseline
44.8
Target
TBD
Indicator Highlights
Access to Health Services
California faces a statewide shortfall for primary care providers:
Mid-range forecasts indicate the state would need about 4,700 additional primary care clinicians in 2025 and about 4,100 additional primary care clinicians in 2030 to meet demand.1
In 2030, California is projected to have 78,000 to 103,000 primary care clinicians, with NPs and PAs composing nearly half of the total.1
Mental Health and Dental Providers
In addition to shortages of primary care physicians, California also faces shortages for mental health and dental providers:
Based on current utilization, patterns indicate that by 2028 California will have 41% fewer psychiatrists than needed. This shortfall increases to 50% when accounting for current utilization plus unmet need.5
To meet needs of the State’s aging population California will need 600,000 more home care workers by 2029.1
In California, there are 446 areas identified as dental care provider shortage areas.6
Innovative healthcare workforce development approaches identified by the California Future Health Workforce Commission include:
Creating more primary care and mental health residency slots
Increasing the use of nurse practitioners
Boosting scholarships for low-income students who agree to work in underserved area
Expanding the supply and training of home care workers7
Data Snapshot: Trends & Disparities
California’s healthcare workforce is not evenly distributed across the state.
Areas experiencing high levels of shortage are the San Joaquin Valley and the Inland Empire, as well as the rural northern and Sierra regions.1
There is notable variation in levels of shortage across counties. For examples in Colusa County, 64% of the population live in a primary care shortage area, in comparison to 7% of Kings county.
Latino, black and Native American populations make up the majority of residents of health professional shortage areas.3
For people who rely on the safety net, these challenges are even greater — with just over half as many doctors accepting Medi-Cal as those who accept private insurance.3
Percent of Population Without Sufficient Access to Care
(More than 2000 People per 1 Provider), by County
Population per Primary Care Physician FTE (Lower is Better), by Medical Service Study Area
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Stories & Solutions
RxSafe Marin: Marin County Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative
This highly collaborative community-wide initiative sponsored by Marin County Health and Human Services coordinates diverse Action Teams including Law Enforcement; Prescribers and Pharmacists; Community-based Prevention; Treatment and Recovery; and, Data Collection and Monitoring.
Clinic in the Park • Connect • Screen • Educate
The Clinic in the Park is a health collaborative consisting of over 40 community nonprofits, academic, private and public organizations, volunteer health and public health professionals that brings free health and wellness screenings to needy families during the weekend at parks throughout Orange County.
The MobileMAMA Text Program: Integrating Medical Care and Social Services for Pregnant Women in the Safety Net
MobileMAMA is a text-messaging program designed to be used by safety-net prenatal patients to provide continuous information to their medical providers about their use of social services in their community.
Vivity – A New Choice in Healthcare Through an Integrated Healthcare System Experience
Vivity is an Anthem Blue Cross health benefit plan that brings together multiple hospital systems to collaborate on clinical quality goals and care coordination to provide members with a virtually integrated delivery system.
It’s a game changer to have access – Kimeko’s Story
Kimeko is thankful that she got enrolled in Covered California. She wasn’t feeling well and went to the doctor where they told her she could have a stroke any minute and admitted her to the hospital on the spot. Now she is getting the care she needs by the caring [...]
I was really worried about my business, but now I can save so much money
Gurjit had ongoing medical issues, but she was worried about how the cost of health care might affect her small business. She enrolled in heath insurance through Covered California and is thrilled by how much money she's saving.Watch the video »https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBoiBOacYEw
Health Access LGBT Health and Human Services Network identified as an open enrollment best practice
The Health Access- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health and Human Services (HHS) Network reached more than 1.2 million people. This success came from designing outreach activities and messaging to fit its varied target populations and addressing specific questions and concerns. Large LGBT community events worked well in some [...]
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