Oregon stands committed to ensuring that all its communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have access to quality health care. To achieve this, the state offers a range of Health Care Incentives Programs designed to attract and retain dedicated health care professionals. These programs provide crucial financial support, primarily aimed at alleviating the burden of student loan debt and insurance costs, thereby making it more appealing for providers to serve in communities where they are most needed.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the key health care incentives programs available in Oregon, helping you understand the opportunities and benefits they offer.
Loan Repayment Assistance: The Health Care Provider Incentive Program (HCPIP)
One of Oregon’s flagship initiatives is the Health Care Provider Incentive Loan Repayment Program (HCPIP). This program directly addresses the challenge of student loan debt, a significant barrier for many aspiring and practicing health care professionals. HCPIP offers financial awards to eligible providers in exchange for their service at qualified practice sites located in rural and underserved communities across Oregon. The award amounts are calculated based on the outstanding balance of qualifying student loans at the time of program entry.
Expanded Eligibility for 2024: The HCPIP has recently broadened its scope to include even more vital roles within the health care sector. As of Summer 2024, eligibility has expanded to include Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists, recognizing their crucial contribution to oral health care access. Furthermore, the incorporation of the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment program under HCPIP has extended eligibility to a wider array of licensed and pre-licensed behavioral health providers. This expansion reflects Oregon’s commitment to integrated healthcare and addressing the growing need for behavioral health services.
Who Can Apply? Eligible Provider Types:
HCPIP is open to a diverse range of healthcare professionals, including:
- Physicians (MD, DO, or ND): Specifically those specializing in family medicine, general practice, general internal medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
- Pharmacists: Essential members of the healthcare team, ensuring medication safety and efficacy.
- Oral Health Providers:
- Dentists (general and pediatric practice)
- Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists
- Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists (newly eligible!)
- Physician Assistants: Focusing on family medicine, general practice, general internal medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
- Nurse Practitioners: Specializing in adult primary care, women’s health care, geriatrics, pediatrics, family practice, or nurse midwifery.
- Behavioral Health Providers (Licensed and Pre-licensed): A comprehensive list to ensure broad access to mental health services:
- Pre-licensed behavioral health providers working towards licensure.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC I, CADC II, and CADC III).
- Licensed or pre-licensed mental & behavioral providers in inpatient settings.
- Licensed or pre-licensed mental & behavioral providers serving patients in non-traditional settings like camps, homes, or community centers.
- Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA).
- Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP).
Qualifying Practice Site Criteria:
To ensure that the incentives reach communities in genuine need, practice sites must meet specific criteria:
- HPSA or Facility HPSA Location: Sites must be situated in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or have a Facility HPSA designation.
- Medicaid/Medicare Patient Service: Sites must serve Medicaid and Medicare patients at least at the same proportion as the county average.
- Underserved Population Service: Sites must provide essential health care services to a designated underserved population, as determined by the Oregon Health Authority.
- Site Application and Qualification: Sites must have a Site Application on file with the Oregon Office of Rural Health and receive confirmation of site qualification.
Ready to Apply? Applications for HCPIP are accepted and reviewed quarterly. Detailed application information, award details, and frequently asked questions are available on the Oregon Office of Rural Health’s Loan Repayment Website.
Loan Forgiveness During Education: Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF)
The Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF) program offers a unique approach by providing financial incentives to students during their education. This program targets students participating in approved rural training tracks, offering loan forgiveness funds in exchange for a commitment to future service in rural or frontier areas of Oregon. PCLF participants receive funds while they are still training, reducing their accumulating debt and solidifying their commitment to serving underserved communities post-graduation. Participants must contract with an approved practice site within 90 days of graduation or residency completion and commit to practicing at an approved site for one year for every year of funding received.
PCLF Eligibility Requirements:
Students seeking PCLF must meet the following criteria:
- Good Academic Standing: Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their program.
- Oregon AHEC Scholars Program or Approved Rural Training Track: Be enrolled in the Oregon AHEC Scholars Program or accepted into an approved Oregon rural training track.
- Commitment to Rural Practice: Be prepared to begin primary care practice at an approved rural practice site within 90 days of graduation or residency completion.
For comprehensive information and application details, please visit the Office of Rural Health’s Primary Care Loan Forgiveness website.
Malpractice Insurance Support: Rural Medical Practitioners Insurance Subsidy
Recognizing the high cost of medical professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance), particularly for providers in rural areas, Oregon offers the Rural Medical Practitioners Insurance Subsidy. This program aims to stabilize the rural health care workforce by providing partial payments towards malpractice insurance premiums. By offsetting this significant expense, the subsidy makes rural practice more financially viable and attractive for physicians and nurse practitioners.
Eligibility for Insurance Subsidy:
To qualify for the Rural Insurance Subsidy, providers must:
- Eligible Provider Type: Be a Physician (M.D., D.O.) or Nurse Practitioner.
- Rural or Frontier Practice Location: Practice in an eligible rural or frontier area of Oregon.
- Eligible Insurance Carrier Coverage: Be covered by an insurance carrier approved for the program.
- Medicaid/Medicare Patient Commitment: Agree to see Medicaid and Medicare patients at a proportion no less than the county or service area average.
- Independent Insurance Coverage: Not receive malpractice insurance coverage through their employer or be required to repay their employer for coverage.
Subsidy Coverage Percentages:
The subsidy amount is calculated as a percentage of the provider’s malpractice insurance premium, varying based on their specialty and reflecting the risk associated with different types of practice:
- 80% Subsidy: Obstetrics
- 60% Subsidy: Family or general practice including obstetrical services
- 40% Subsidy: Anesthesiology, family practice or general practice without obstetrics, general surgery, geriatrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, or pulmonary medicine
- 15% Subsidy: All other specialties
Enroll Today! Further details regarding reimbursement, benefits, and contact information are available on the Office of Rural Health’s Insurance Subsidy webpage.
Scholarships for Future Health Leaders
Oregon invests in the future of its healthcare workforce through various scholarship programs designed to support students pursuing clinical degrees.
Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI)
The Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI) represents a significant investment, covering full tuition and applicable fees for selected students entering specific clinical degree programs at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). SHOI recipients make a commitment to practice in rural or medically underserved communities in Oregon for a period exceeding their funding duration by at least one year.
Health Care Workforce Scholarship & Pathways Scholarship
Building on the SHOI model, the Health Care Workforce Scholarship and Health Care Workforce Pathways Scholarship extend support to a broader range of institutions and educational levels. The Workforce Scholarship targets health professional training programs at higher education institutions, while the Pathways Scholarship focuses on secondary education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and other health-related workforce programs for students in grades 8-12. These scholarships are administered through partnerships between training programs and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Health Care Retention Scholarship
Looking to strengthen the existing workforce, the Health Care Retention Scholarship aims to enhance the skills and diversity of Oregon’s health care professionals. This scholarship supports recertification and advancement opportunities for individuals already serving underserved populations in both rural and urban areas.
Stay Informed: Additional details about the Health Care Retention Scholarship are anticipated to be released in Fall 2024. For information on SHOI and other scholarship programs, please visit the OHSU Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative website.
Program Evaluation and Contact Information
Oregon is committed to assessing the effectiveness of its health care incentives programs. House Bill 3261 (2017) mandates the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB), through the OHA and its partners, to collect and analyze data on program participants. This data informs biennial reports to the Oregon Legislature, evaluating the impact of these investments. The next report is expected in early 2025. Past reports are publicly available, with the 2023 report being the most recent.
Have Questions? Get in Touch:
For inquiries or further information about any of these health care incentives programs, please reach out to:
Oregon Health Authority
Email: Provider Incentive Program
Oregon Office of Rural Health
Email: Workforce Services
By leveraging these valuable health care incentives programs, Oregon is actively working to build a robust and accessible health care system for all its residents. If you are a healthcare provider seeking opportunities to serve in Oregon, we encourage you to explore these programs and become a part of this vital mission.
