15425, Connellsville, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 15425, Connellsville, Pennsylvania is 64 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 93.55 percent of the residents in 15425 has some form of health insurance. 44.91 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 65.82 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 15425 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 3,782 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 5 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 15425. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 3,757 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 2,064 health care providers accessible to residents in 15425, Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

## Asthma Score Analysis: Connellsville, PA (ZIP Code 15425)

Connellsville, Pennsylvania, a community nestled in the Laurel Highlands, presents a unique landscape for healthcare access, particularly concerning asthma management. This analysis, framed as an "Asthma Score" assessment, delves into the availability and quality of primary care, physician-to-patient ratios, telemedicine adoption, and mental health resources within ZIP code 15425. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview for residents seeking effective asthma care.

The foundation of asthma management rests on accessible and competent primary care. In Connellsville, the availability of primary care physicians (PCPs) directly impacts the ability of residents to receive regular checkups, medication management, and education regarding their condition. The physician-to-patient ratio is a crucial metric. A higher ratio, indicating fewer physicians per capita, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment adjustments. Conversely, a lower ratio suggests better access, allowing for more proactive and personalized care. Publicly available data from sources like the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would be essential to determine the precise physician-to-patient ratio within the 15425 ZIP code. This data would need to be supplemented with information on physician specialties, specifically the number of family medicine doctors, internal medicine specialists, and pediatricians practicing within the area.

Beyond the raw numbers, the quality of primary care is paramount. This includes the expertise of the physicians in managing asthma, their adherence to current asthma guidelines, and their ability to provide comprehensive care. Assessing the quality of care would require evaluating factors such as the availability of spirometry testing (a key diagnostic tool for asthma), the frequency of asthma action plan development, and the provision of patient education materials. Reviews from patients, coupled with data on patient outcomes, could provide valuable insights into the quality of care delivered by individual practices.

Several practices in Connellsville may stand out in their approach to asthma care. Identifying these "standout practices" requires a deeper dive. This involves researching practices that have invested in specialized equipment, such as peak flow meters and nebulizers, or those that have adopted innovative approaches to asthma management. Practices that actively participate in asthma-related educational programs or community outreach initiatives would also be considered. Identifying these practices and understanding their operational models could serve as a model for others.

Telemedicine, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, has the potential to significantly improve asthma care access in Connellsville. Telemedicine offers several advantages, including reducing the need for in-person visits, especially for routine checkups or medication refills. It also allows patients to connect with specialists who may not be readily available in the immediate area. Assessing the adoption of telemedicine in Connellsville requires identifying practices that offer telehealth services, the types of services offered (e.g., video consultations, remote monitoring), and the accessibility of these services to patients.

Asthma often co-exists with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can exacerbate asthma symptoms and negatively impact overall well-being. Therefore, the availability of mental health resources is a critical component of comprehensive asthma care. Evaluating the mental health resources in Connellsville involves assessing the number of mental health providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists) available, the accessibility of these providers (e.g., wait times, insurance acceptance), and the integration of mental health services into primary care practices. Practices that offer integrated behavioral health services, or that have established referral pathways to mental health specialists, would be considered to have a higher "Asthma Score."

Analyzing the availability of specialized asthma care is also important. While primary care physicians are crucial for managing asthma, some patients may require the expertise of a pulmonologist or allergist. The presence of these specialists within the 15425 ZIP code, or within a reasonable travel distance, is a significant factor in the overall "Asthma Score." Information on the availability of these specialists, their referral processes, and their areas of expertise should be considered.

The overall "Asthma Score" for Connellsville (ZIP code 15425) would be a composite score, reflecting the weighted contributions of each of these factors: physician-to-patient ratio, the quality of primary care, the adoption of telemedicine, the availability of mental health resources, and the presence of specialized asthma care. A higher score would indicate better access to and quality of asthma care, while a lower score would suggest areas where improvements are needed. This analysis is intended to provide a starting point for residents, healthcare providers, and policymakers to understand the current state of asthma care in Connellsville and to identify opportunities for improvement.

To gain a deeper, visual understanding of the healthcare landscape in Connellsville and surrounding areas, including the location of physicians, healthcare facilities, and other relevant data points, we recommend exploring the interactive maps provided by CartoChrome. Their platform offers a powerful way to visualize and analyze geographic data, providing valuable insights into healthcare access and resource distribution.