U.S. Census Bureau's New 'Urban Area' Designation Impacts Rural Health Clinic Designation

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U.S. Census Bureau's New 'Urban Area' Designation Impacts Rural Health Clinic Designation

Census Bureau (March 24, 2023) – On Dec. 22, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau redefined the definition of 'Urban' and 'Rural.' There are three key changes to the Census Bureau's urban area concept and criteria:

Increased the minimum population threshold to qualify as urban from 2,500 to 5,000 and added an alternative: instead of qualifying based on population size, areas can now qualify based on a minimum housing unit threshold
Use of housing unit density instead of population density
No longer distinguish between different types of urban areas

Under the new criteria, to qualify as urban, an area must encompass a minimum of 5,000 people or a minimum of 2,000 housing units. It is unclear the full impact this rule change has on new rural health clinics in Kansas. Please find a template letter members can utilize to contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to express your concern with this rule change. Once you have filled out the template letter, please send to QSOG_RHC-FQHC@cms.hhs.gov and Chiquita.brooks-lasure@cms.hhs.gov.
--Shannan Flach

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