Oregon is dedicated to ensuring all its communities have access to quality healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas. To achieve this, the state offers a range of Primary Care Incentive Programs designed to attract and retain dedicated healthcare professionals. These initiatives provide crucial financial support, primarily through loan repayment and other benefits, to those serving Oregon’s most vulnerable populations.
This article will delve into the key primary care incentive programs available in Oregon, highlighting eligibility criteria, benefits, and how these programs contribute to strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce.
Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (HCPLRP)
One of the cornerstone primary care incentive programs in Oregon is the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (HCPLRP). This program directly addresses the financial burden of student loan debt, a significant barrier for many healthcare professionals considering practice in underserved communities.
In exchange for a service commitment at a qualified practice site, HCPLRP participants receive funds to repay their qualifying student loans. The award amount is calculated based on the outstanding balance of eligible loans at the time of program entry.
Key Updates for Summer 2024:
The HCPLRP has recently expanded its eligibility to include:
- Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists: Recognizing the vital role of oral health in overall well-being, these professionals are now eligible for loan repayment assistance.
- Behavioral Health Providers: The program now incorporates the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment program, broadening eligibility to licensed and pre-licensed behavioral health providers. This expansion addresses the growing need for mental health services across Oregon.
Eligible Provider Types:
The HCPLRP supports a wide array of healthcare professionals, including:
- Physicians (MD, DO, or ND): Specializing in family medicine, general practice, general internal medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
- Pharmacists: Ensuring access to essential medications in underserved areas.
- Oral Health Providers:
- Dentists (general or pediatric practice)
- Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists
- Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists
- Physician Assistants: Practicing in 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.
- Licensed and Pre-licensed Behavioral Health Providers:
- Pre-licensed professionals working towards licensure hours.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC I, CADC II, and CADC II).
- Licensed or pre-licensed mental & behavioral providers in inpatient settings.
- Providers seeing patients in non-traditional settings (camps, homes, community settings).
- Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA).
- Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP).
Qualifying Practice Sites:
To be eligible for HCPLRP, practice sites must meet specific criteria, demonstrating their commitment to serving underserved populations. Qualifying sites must:
- Be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or have a Facility HPSA designation.
- Serve a significant proportion of Medicaid and Medicare patients, at least equivalent to the county average.
- Provide essential healthcare services to an underserved population, as determined by the Oregon Health Authority.
- Have a Site Application on file with the Oregon Office of Rural Health and receive confirmation of site qualification.
Apply Today!
Applications for the HCPLRP are reviewed quarterly. For complete details on the application process, award information, and frequently asked questions, please visit the ORH Loan Repayment Website.
Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF) Program
Another key primary care incentive program focusing on nurturing future healthcare providers is the Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF) program. PCLF is specifically designed for students in approved rural training tracks, offering financial support during their education in exchange for a commitment to serve in rural or frontier Oregon after graduation.
PCLF participants receive loan forgiveness funds while they are still in training. Upon graduation (or residency completion), they must contract with an approved practice site within 90 days. The service obligation is one year for each year of funding received, requiring participants to practice at an approved site for the duration of their obligation.
Eligibility Requirements for PCLF:
Students seeking PCLF support must:
- Maintain good academic standing.
- Participate in the Oregon AHEC Scholars Program or be accepted into an approved Oregon rural training track.
- Be prepared to begin practicing primary care at an approved rural practice site within 90 days of graduation or residency completion (if applicable).
For more comprehensive information about the Primary Care Loan Forgiveness program, please visit the Office of Rural Health’s Primary Care Loan Forgiveness website.
Rural Medical Practitioners Insurance Subsidy
Recognizing the high cost of medical professional liability insurance, the Rural Medical Practitioners Insurance Subsidy program acts as a vital primary care incentive program. This initiative aims to stabilize the healthcare workforce in rural and frontier Oregon by providing partial payments towards malpractice insurance premiums for eligible providers. Without this subsidy, these providers would bear the full cost of this essential coverage.
Eligibility for Insurance Subsidy:
To qualify for the Rural Insurance Subsidy, providers must:
- Be a Physician (M.D., D.O,) or Nurse Practitioner.
- Practice in an eligible rural or frontier area of Oregon.
- Be covered by an eligible insurance carrier.
- Agree to serve Medicaid and Medicare patients at a rate no less than the county or service area average.
- Not receive malpractice insurance coverage through their employer or be required to reimburse their employer for coverage.
Subsidy Coverage Percentages:
The subsidy amount varies based on the provider’s specialty and area of practice:
- 80% Coverage: Obstetrics
- 60% Coverage: Family or general practice including obstetrical services
- 40% Coverage: Anesthesiology, family practice or general practice without obstetrics, general surgery, geriatrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, or pulmonary medicine
- 15% Coverage: All other specialties
Enroll Today!
For detailed information regarding reimbursement, benefits, and contact details for the Rural Medical Practitioners Insurance Subsidy, please visit the Office of Rural Health’s Insurance Subsidy webpage.
Scholarships: Investing in Oregon’s Future Healthcare Workforce
Beyond loan repayment and insurance subsidies, Oregon offers several scholarship programs that function as primary care incentive programs by encouraging students to pursue healthcare careers and serve in underserved areas.
Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI)
The Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI) is a significant investment in the future of Oregon’s healthcare. SHOI provides full tuition and fee coverage for a select number of students entering specific clinical degree programs at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Recipients commit to practicing in rural or medically underserved communities in Oregon for a period at least one year longer than the duration of their scholarship funding.
Further details on eligibility and application procedures can be found on the OHSU Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative website.
Health Care Workforce Scholarship
The Health Care Workforce Scholarship, previously known as SHOI-Like Scholarship, supports health professional training programs at various higher education institutions across Oregon. Funded training programs then develop their own application and distribution processes for scholarships, in collaboration with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) staff.
Health Care Workforce Pathways Scholarship
The Health Care Workforce Pathways Scholarship focuses on building a pipeline of future healthcare professionals. This scholarship provides funding for secondary education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), training programs, and other health-related workforce programs for students in grades 8-12. Similar to the Workforce Scholarship, funded training programs manage the application and distribution process in partnership with OHA staff.
Health Care Retention Scholarship
The Health Care Retention Scholarship addresses the critical need to retain experienced healthcare professionals within Oregon. This scholarship supports recertification and advancement opportunities, aiming to enhance workforce capacity and diversity, particularly for those serving underserved populations in both rural and urban areas.
Stay Tuned: Additional information regarding the Health Care Retention Scholarship will be released in Fall 2024.
HCPIP Fund Evaluation: Ensuring Program Effectiveness
To ensure the effectiveness and impact of these primary care incentive programs, Oregon actively monitors and evaluates their outcomes. As mandated by House Bill 3261 (2017), the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB), through the OHA and its partners, collects and analyzes data on participants in Oregon’s financial incentive programs.
This data-driven approach allows the state to understand the impact of these investments and make informed decisions to optimize program effectiveness. The OHA submits a biennial report to the Oregon Legislature, with the next report due in early 2025. Past reports are available for review, with the 2023 report being the most recent. The 2025 report is anticipated in January 2025.
Contact Information
For inquiries or further information about Oregon’s primary care incentive programs, please reach out to:
Oregon Health Authority
Email: Provider Incentive Program
Oregon Office of Rural Health
Email: Workforce Services
