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Medicaid Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program

About the Medicaid Loan Repayment Program

Background and History

In the 2013 legislative session, the Oregon Legislature approved SB 440, establishing the Medicaid Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program to support access to primary care for Medicaid beneficiaries in Oregon. The program provides loan repayment to primary care providers who commit to serving Medicaid patients in underserved areas of the state.

The origins of this program and the bill reside with Governor Kitzhaber’s successful waiver proposal to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) signed on July 5, 2012, focused on supporting Medicaid health system transformation and Coordinated Care Organizations. To support the new model of care, the waiver calls for investment in health care workforce including training for community health workers and $4 million in loan repayment for primary care providers who commit to serving Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved areas.

This program is being administered in partnership with the Oregon Office of Rural Health at Oregon Health and Science University.

Program Guidelines

The Medicaid Primary Care Provider Program is open to physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners trained in certain specialties, as well as dentists, expanded practice dental hygienists and certain mental health professionals. Awardees receive up to $35,000 per year for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. In exchange, participants agree to serve Medicaid and other patients in a qualifying practice site. Qualifying sites include rural hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other clinical practices located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Further details are found in the Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 409-037.

How to Apply

Applications are now being accepted. Visit the Office for Rural Health website for information on how to apply and receive updates.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Marc Overbeck, Director Primary Care Office

OHA - Health Policy and Analytics
marc.overbeck@state.or.us
503-373-1791

Oregon Office for Rural Health
503-494-4450