24733, Lashmeet, West Virginia Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 24733, Lashmeet, West Virginia is 74 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 96.74 percent of the residents in 24733 has some form of health insurance. 63.59 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 60.87 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 24733 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 0 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 24733. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 39 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,402 health care providers accessible to residents in 24733, Lashmeet, West Virginia.

The task requires an analysis of asthma care within ZIP code 24733, focusing on primary care availability in Lashmeet, West Virginia. This analysis will assess the quality of care available, considering factors like physician-to-patient ratios, standout practices, telemedicine adoption, and the availability of mental health resources. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of asthma care accessibility and quality within the specified geographic area.

Lashmeet, West Virginia, falls within the 24733 ZIP code. This rural area presents unique challenges and opportunities regarding healthcare access, particularly for chronic conditions like asthma. Understanding the local landscape is crucial for evaluating the quality of asthma care.

Physician-to-patient ratios are a critical indicator of healthcare accessibility. A low ratio, indicating a scarcity of physicians relative to the population, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, reduced access to specialized care, and potentially poorer health outcomes. Assessing the physician-to-patient ratio specifically for primary care physicians in the 24733 ZIP code is the first step. This requires data collection from sources such as the West Virginia Board of Medicine, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and local healthcare providers. The ratio must be compared to state and national averages to determine if the area is experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians.

The availability of primary care physicians in Lashmeet itself is a critical factor. The presence of a local primary care practice significantly increases accessibility for residents. Evaluating the number of primary care physicians practicing in Lashmeet, the types of services offered (e.g., routine checkups, asthma management), and the hours of operation is essential. If Lashmeet lacks a primary care practice, residents must travel to neighboring towns or cities, increasing travel time and potentially creating barriers to care.

Identifying standout practices within the 24733 ZIP code is crucial. This involves examining practices that demonstrate excellence in asthma management. This could include practices that have: implemented evidence-based asthma guidelines, offered patient education programs, maintained high patient satisfaction scores, and demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Information regarding the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and their interoperability is also important, as this can facilitate better care coordination.

Telemedicine adoption is another key factor in evaluating asthma care. Telemedicine can improve access to care, especially in rural areas where travel can be difficult. Assessing the availability of telemedicine services, such as virtual consultations with primary care physicians or pulmonologists, is important. This includes evaluating the types of telemedicine services offered (e.g., video consultations, remote monitoring), the technology used, and the patient and provider satisfaction with these services.

Mental health resources are an often-overlooked but essential component of asthma care. Asthma can significantly impact a patient's mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Assessing the availability of mental health services, such as counseling and therapy, within the 24733 ZIP code is critical. This includes evaluating the number of mental health professionals, the types of services offered, and the accessibility of these services for asthma patients. Integration of mental health services with primary care practices can improve patient outcomes.

The assessment of asthma care should also include an evaluation of the availability of asthma education programs. These programs can empower patients to manage their condition effectively. This includes assessing the availability of asthma education programs, the topics covered (e.g., medication management, trigger avoidance), and the format of the programs (e.g., individual counseling, group classes).

Furthermore, the analysis should consider the availability of specialized asthma care, such as pulmonologists and allergists. While primary care physicians are often the first point of contact for asthma patients, access to specialists is crucial for patients with more severe or complex asthma. Evaluating the number of specialists practicing in the area, their areas of expertise, and the referral process is important.

Analyzing the insurance coverage landscape within the 24733 ZIP code is also crucial. The acceptance of various insurance plans by local healthcare providers can significantly impact access to care. This includes assessing the acceptance of Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans. The availability of financial assistance programs for low-income patients should also be considered.

The analysis should also consider the availability of pharmacies and the accessibility of asthma medications. Assessing the number of pharmacies in the area, their hours of operation, and the availability of asthma medications is important. The cost of medications and the availability of patient assistance programs should also be considered.

The analysis should also incorporate data on asthma prevalence rates within the 24733 ZIP code. This information provides context for the assessment of care quality and accessibility. Data on asthma prevalence can be obtained from sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Finally, the analysis should synthesize all the collected data to provide a comprehensive "Asthma Score" for doctors in ZIP code 24733, with a specific focus on primary care availability in Lashmeet. This score should reflect the quality of care available, considering all the factors discussed above. The score could be presented using a rating system (e.g., a scale of 1 to 5 stars) to make it easy to understand.

To visualize the data and gain a deeper understanding of the geographic distribution of healthcare resources, consider using CartoChrome maps. These maps can visually represent physician locations, practice locations, and other relevant data points, providing a clear picture of healthcare access within the 24733 ZIP code.