36850, Camp Hill, Alabama Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 36850, Camp Hill, Alabama is 48 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 92.28 percent of the residents in 36850 has some form of health insurance. 52.05 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 52.13 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 36850 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 570 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 7 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 36850. An estimate of 2 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 642 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,717 health care providers accessible to residents in 36850, Camp Hill, Alabama.

The following analysis examines asthma care within ZIP code 36850, encompassing the town of Camp Hill, Alabama. This analysis focuses on evaluating the availability and quality of primary care physicians (PCPs) and related resources, crucial factors in managing asthma effectively. The goal is to provide an "Asthma Score" assessment, considering physician-to-patient ratios, the presence of standout practices, telemedicine adoption, and access to mental health support, all within the context of Camp Hill's healthcare landscape.

Camp Hill, a small community, presents unique challenges and opportunities regarding healthcare access. The relative isolation of the area, coupled with potential socioeconomic factors, can impact the availability of specialized medical care, including asthma management. The Asthma Score will reflect these realities.

Physician-to-patient ratios are a critical indicator of access. A low ratio, meaning fewer physicians per capita, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, reduced time spent with each patient, and potential difficulties in establishing a consistent care relationship. Determining the exact physician-to-patient ratio within 36850 requires detailed data, but a preliminary assessment suggests a potential scarcity of PCPs. This scarcity could be a significant hurdle for asthma sufferers needing regular check-ups, medication refills, and urgent care during exacerbations. The Asthma Score will reflect this potential limitation.

Identifying "standout practices" involves looking for clinics that demonstrate excellence in asthma management. This includes factors such as board-certified allergists or pulmonologists on staff (even if they only see patients on a referral basis), adherence to national asthma guidelines, patient education programs, and the availability of specialized equipment like spirometry. The presence of certified asthma educators is a particularly valuable asset. Based on publicly available information, it is difficult to identify specific practices in Camp Hill that are definitively "standout" in this regard. This lack of readily identifiable specialized care will negatively impact the Asthma Score.

Telemedicine adoption is increasingly important, especially in rural areas. Telemedicine offers the potential to bridge geographical barriers, providing access to consultations, medication management, and patient education remotely. The availability of telemedicine services from PCPs and specialists within or serving 36850 can significantly improve asthma care. Assessing telemedicine adoption involves determining whether local practices offer virtual appointments, remote monitoring capabilities, and access to online patient portals for communication and medication refills. The degree of telemedicine integration will factor into the Asthma Score, with higher scores awarded to practices demonstrating robust telemedicine offerings.

Mental health resources are an often-overlooked but crucial component of asthma management. Asthma, a chronic condition, can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Conversely, mental health issues can exacerbate asthma symptoms. The availability of mental health services, including therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, within or easily accessible to residents of 36850 is therefore a critical factor. Assessing this involves evaluating the presence of mental health providers in the community, the availability of mental health services within primary care practices, and the ease with which patients can access these resources. The Asthma Score will consider the availability and accessibility of these mental health resources.

Based on the available information and general knowledge of rural healthcare dynamics, the Asthma Score for 36850 is likely to be moderate, potentially leaning towards the lower end of the spectrum. The potential scarcity of PCPs, the limited availability of specialized asthma care, and the challenges in accessing mental health resources all contribute to this assessment. The score would be negatively impacted by the lack of readily identifiable "standout" practices and the potential for limited telemedicine adoption. However, the score could be improved by evidence of strong patient education programs, proactive medication management strategies, and accessible mental health support.

To further refine the Asthma Score and provide a more precise assessment, a comprehensive data collection effort would be necessary. This would involve contacting local healthcare providers, reviewing publicly available data from sources such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Alabama Department of Public Health, and potentially conducting patient surveys. This detailed data collection would allow for a more nuanced evaluation of each of the factors discussed above, leading to a more accurate and actionable Asthma Score.

The analysis also underscores the importance of community-level initiatives to improve asthma care. These initiatives could include:

* **Recruiting and retaining physicians:** Efforts to attract PCPs and specialists to the area.
* **Expanding telemedicine capabilities:** Supporting local practices in adopting and implementing telemedicine technologies.
* **Improving access to mental health services:** Partnering with mental health providers to increase the availability of services.
* **Promoting patient education:** Implementing asthma education programs in schools, community centers, and healthcare settings.
* **Advocating for policy changes:** Supporting policies that improve access to healthcare and address the social determinants of health.

The ultimate goal is to create a healthcare environment where asthma sufferers in Camp Hill can receive timely, comprehensive, and effective care. The Asthma Score serves as a starting point for evaluating the current state of care and identifying areas for improvement.

The limitations of this analysis are important to acknowledge. The assessment is based on publicly available information and general knowledge of healthcare trends. A more thorough investigation, including direct contact with healthcare providers and data analysis, would be needed to provide a more definitive Asthma Score. Also, the ever-changing nature of healthcare, including the adoption of new technologies and the evolution of healthcare policies, requires that any assessment be regularly updated.

In conclusion, the Asthma Score for Camp Hill, Alabama (36850) reflects a healthcare landscape that presents both challenges and opportunities for asthma management. The availability of PCPs, the presence of specialized care, the adoption of telemedicine, and the accessibility of mental health resources are all critical factors. To gain a more in-depth understanding of the geographic distribution of healthcare resources in Camp Hill and surrounding areas, including the location of primary care practices, specialists, and mental health providers, explore the interactive maps available at CartoChrome.