West Virginia Health Professional Recruitment and Financial Incentives

Transcription

1 West Virginia Health Professional Recruitment and Financial Incentives West Virginia has long been a pioneer of new approaches to educating medical and other health professions students in rural and underserved settings. Currently, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission s (Commission) Rural Health Initiative provides significant funding to the state s three academic health centers, Marshall University, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University and to other institutions and organizations working to improve the delivery of care in rural underserved areas of West Virginia Several state and federal financial incentive programs complement these education efforts and enhance the likelihood that health profession students ultimately return to rural and undeserved areas of the state to practice. These programs primarily are coordinated through the Commission and the at the Bureau for Public Health. Requirements, benefits, and obligations for these programs vary, but a common requirement is the practice location must be in an underserved area. Due to federal regulations, federally funded programs, such the National Health Service Corps and the State Loan Repayment Program, prohibit participants from completing their program service obligation concurrently with other service obligations. Programs in this document with that prohibition have an asterisk next to their program name. All other programs allow concurrent service.

2 HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREAS (HPSAs) IN RURAL WEST VIRGINIA Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are not loan repayment programs. However, many loan repayment programs require or encourage practice in HPSAs as part of their service obligation. Statewide data is analyzed by the WVDHHR/ to determine areas that are eligible for HPSA designation. This information is submitted to the Division of Policy and Shortage Designations of the Bureau of Health Workforce of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). A HPSA designation is a federal designation that identifies areas with a shortage of primary care physicians, generally, areas with a ratio of less than one primary care physician per 3,500 population. In West Virginia, 28 of the 55 counties are designated as partial or whole county Primary Care HPSAs which can be Primary Care, Dental, or Mental Health services. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program and the State Loan Repayment Program require participants to work in an approved site in a HPSA. State funded programs, i.e., the Health Sciences Scholarship Program, the Recruitment and Retention Community Project, and the Medical Student Loan Program, consider additional underserved areas based on program criteria. Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 2

3 HEALTH SCIENCES SERVICES PROGRAM This program provides a recruitment incentive for students to complete their training and practice in an underserved area of the state or teach in a state nursing program. The program is funded by state appropriation. 1. Fourth year medical students at a West Virginia school of medicine or osteopathy who are entering primary care internships or residency programs in West Virginia; 2. Students who are in the final year of a educational program in West Virginia for dentists, pharmacists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, or physician assistants; 3. Students who are in the final year of a master s degree nursing program in West Virginia leading to a career in nursing education; and 4. Students who are in the final year of a graduate program in social work or a doctoral program in clinical psychology. Social work students must be training to become Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers. Doctoral clinical psychology students must match with an internship in West Virginia. Although instate residency is not a requirement, awarding preference will be given to West Virginia residents. $30,000 award for medical and dental students and $15,000 for all other disciplines. Awards are made by the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, based on recommendations of an advisory committee. Participants must sign a contract to practice in an underserved area of the state for a minimum of two years upon completion of training. Nurse educators must teach in an approved undergraduate nursing program in the state for at least two years. The penalty for not fulfilling the service obligation is repayment of the scholarship with interest. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service of this award with some federal programs. Laura Boone, Director of Health Sciences Programs West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission 1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East; Suite 700 Charleston, WV Phone: E mail: laura.boone@wvhepc.edu Page 3

4 WEST VIRGINIA CENTER FOR NURSING MSN AND DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS This program provides a scholarship for those wishing to pursue careers as RN nursing faculty in the state of West Virginia. Recent studies have shown that there will be an ongoing nursing shortage in the United States. The Center has also become aware that the need for nursing faculty is becoming more critical over time. 1. Be employed as an educator in a West Virginia school of nursing. 2. Be accepted into an MSN program or accepted into an approved doctoral program at the time of application. 3. Be continuously employed as a faculty member while attending school. 4. Agree to a Continued Employment Commitment: after completion of the MSN/doctoral program, work as a faculty member in a West Virginia school of nursing for no less than two years. If you are unable to meet the Continued Employment Commitment, you must repay the total amount awarded. *Although in state residency is not a requirement, awarding preference will be given to West Virginia residents. Awards of up to $15,000 can be issued to applicants granted awards. Applications are reviewed by a review committee. Recipients must sign a contract to work for at least two years as a nursing faculty member in a West Virginia school of nursing. The penalty for not fulfilling the service obligation is repayment of the scholarship with interest. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service of this award with some federal programs. For more information contact: Drema Pierson, Administrator West Virginia Center for Nursing 1018 Kanawha Blvd E, STE 700 Charleston, WV Phone: Fax: E mail: drema.pierson@wvhepc.edu Page 4

5 NURSE CORPS This program is a selective program from the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Students accepted or enrolled in diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs, including RN to BSN Bridge Program who begin classes no later than September 30. Funding for tuition, fees and other educational costs; monthly stipend of ($1,302 for the school year). Upon graduation, NURSE Corps Scholarship recipients work at these facilities for at least 2 years, earning the same competitive salary and benefits as any new hire. For more information contact: The NURSE Corps website: Or Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 5

6 MEDICAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM This need based program provides loans to needy students at schools of allopathic or osteopathic medicine in West Virginia. Funding for the program is derived from education and general fees charged to medical students. Loan volume hinges on the annual funding level as approved by the respective institutional Board of Governors. Students must be accepted for enrollment or be enrolled full time in a West Virginia school of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. They must also be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant pursuing U.S. citizenship, meet designated academic standards, demonstrate financial need, and not be in default on any previous student loan(s). Maximum annual loan is $10,000. Recipients are selected annually by each school based on the applicant s eligibility and the availability of funds. Award amounts are determined by the school. Students may receive renewal loans each year at the discretion of the school and depending on the availability of funds. Upon completion of training, loan forgiveness may be granted at the rate of $10,000 plus accumulated interest for each period of 12 consecutive calendar months of full time practice in West Virginia in an approved designated medically underserved area or in an approved designated medical specialty in which there is a shortage of physicians. The primary care fields of family medicine/family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics/gynecology, and general surgery are considered to be critical shortage fields. Borrowers must sign a promissory note to repay the loan(s) at the prevailing rate for graduate Federal Direct Stafford/Ford loans at the beginning of the repayment period. Borrowers are entitled, under certain qualifying conditions, to defer payments on the loan and, during a period of authorized deferment, borrowers are not required to pay principal and interest does not accrue. Those qualifying conditions consist of institutionally approved additional medical training, including internships, residencies, and fellowships, or required military service, not to exceed five years. Loan Forgiveness: Borrowers must apply for loan postponement pending forgiveness by requesting from the Higher Education Policy Commission a Postponement Request Form. Once the twelve (12) consecutive calendar months of full time practice has been completed, borrowers will provide certifiable evidence to the Commission to obtain loan forgiveness. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service for loan forgiveness on this loan with some federal programs. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office of your school, or: Jan Ruge, Program Manager West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission 1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East; Suite 700 Charleston, WV Phone: Fax: E mail: janet.ruge@wvhepc.edu Page 6

7 STATE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM* This program offers repayment of educational loans to primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, in return for an obligation to practice in a rural, underserved area of West Virginia. The site must be public or nonprofit and located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). The program is funded by a federal grant (50%) and state appropriation (50%). Primary care physicians in family practice, general pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, general internal medicine, general psychiatry; and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives; and general practice dentists and pharmacists are eligible. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen with a valid, unrestricted West Virginia license and/or certificate, and must have satisfied any other state or federal service obligation prior to beginning the loan repayment service obligation. Awards are made by the Bureau for Public Health, based on a ranking of community need and availability of health professionals. $40,000 for a two year commitment. Contracts may be amended for two additional years at a rate of $25,000 per year. This program will pay for qualified government and commercial educational loans for medical or other health professions education and reasonable living expenses. Recipients may reapply for two additional years, one year at a time, for $25,000 per year. The funding cycle opens on May 1 st each year and remains open until funding is depleted. Recipients of loan repayment must sign a contract to practice full time for a minimum of two years at an approved site in a HPSA. Penalties apply for breach of contract. Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 7

8 RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMUNITY PROJECT This program provides matching funds to communities for recruitment and retention of primary care providers, and is funded by state appropriation. Sponsoring community organizations must be located in a medically underserved community, such as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or other areas approved by the Bureau for Public Health. Sponsors must provide a full continuum of care, including arrangements for after hours and acute care, and must have an open policy to provide health services without regard to a person's ability to pay. Eligible providers include primary care physicians in general family practice, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, psychiatry, and obstetrics/gynecology, or emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants trained in emergency medicine (only at approved facilities), primary care nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurse midwives, general practice dentists, or individuals in training programs in these fields. A candidate must be a U.S. citizen and must agree to meet all applicable educational, licensure, and certification requirements to practice in West Virginia. A grant of up to $10,000 to the sponsor, who in return is required to provide 50 percent matching funds. Funds may be used to provide loan repayment, residency stipends, loan forgiveness, locum tenens support, or other incentives approved by the Bureau for Public Health. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and awards are made by the Bureau for Public Health. Preference is given to sponsors supporting candidates who have received their training in West Virginia; have ties to the community; have a commitment to serve in an underserved area; or have experience in community service in an underserved area. The funding cycle open March 1 st each year and remains open until funding is depleted. Providers must agree to provide primary care clinical medicine full time in an underserved area with or for the sponsor for one year for every year of funding. There is a maximum of four years of funding. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service of this award with some federal programs. Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 8

9 NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM* Fully trained health professionals who are dedicated to working with the underserved and have qualifying educational loans are eligible to apply for repayment of those loans if they choose to serve in a community of greatest need. Eligible providers must be fully trained allopathic or osteopathic physicians specializing in family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, general psychiatry, or obstetrics/gynecology; primary care nurse practitioners; primary care physician assistants; certified nurse midwives, dentists, dental hygienists and mental or behavioral health professionals (health service psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, and psychiatric nurse specialist). Providers must be free of judgment liens arising from Federal debt; have no other existing service commitment; commit to providing primary care service in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of two years and be a United States citizen with a valid, unrestricted license and/or certificate for the State where you plan to practice. Loan repayment levels vary based on available federal funding. In the most recent funding cycle, awards of between $20,000 and $50,000 were made. Award levels vary based on the HPSA score of the practice location and whether the provider is practicing full or part time. Providers may be eligible to continue loan repayment beyond two years, one year at a time, to the extent they have unpaid qualifying educational loans and continue to serve at an eligible site. The National Health Service Corps website at: Or Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 9

10 NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM A federally funded scholarship that can be awarded for up to four years to medical students (MD/DO), dentists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants. Full time student U.S. citizens or U.S. national at an accredited school pursuing a degree in an NHSCeligible discipline. Scholarship pays tuition, fees, other educational costs, and provides a living stipend. Service begins upon graduation (and completion of primary care residency training for doctors and dentists). The NHSC helps scholars find a practice site that's right for them among the hundreds of NHSC approved sites in medically underserved urban, rural and frontier communities across the U.S. When in service, scholars earn a market rate salary, paid by the employing facility. The National Health Service Corps website at: Or Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 10

11 NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS STUDENTS TO SERVICE PROGRAM The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP) provides up to $120, to medical students (MD/DO) in their last year of school. Medical students (MD/DO) or dental students in their last year of school. Up to $120, in loan repayment. Participants will receive up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds payable in four annual installments (up to $30,000 per year) subject to meeting program requirements. Funding begins in the first year of postgraduate training. In return, participants agree to provide three years of full time clinical services. A waiver may be requested to complete service through half time practice. The National Health Service Corps Students to Service Program website at: Or Karen Pauley, Program Coordinator E mail: karen.k.pauley@wv.gov Page 11

12 EDUCATIONAL SEED FOR PHYSICIANS (ESP) This program, administered by the Family Medicine Foundation of West Virginia, the philanthropic arm to the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, provides loans to medical students. Allopathic and osteopathic students in the 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th year must specialize in family medicine and practice for two years in West Virginia upon completion of internship or residency training. The deadline for application is March 20 th, unless you are accepted to medical school after that date. A student may apply for both the ESP and Tully, however, only one scholarship per student will be granted. Loans of $5,000 per year or $15,000 total for three years of medical school are awarded on the basis of need and interest in family medicine. Recipients promise to specialize in the field of Family Medicine and to practice in West Virginia for each year of loan taken upon completion of internship or residency training. Recipients awarded the scholarship in their 4th year of medical school must practice in the state for one year upon completion of internship or residency training. After one to two years of practice are completed, repayment will be waived. The penalty for not fulfilling the agreement is repayment of the scholarship plus interest. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service of this award with some federal programs. Johnna Gaunch Family Medicine Foundation of WV/ESP Fund 650 Main Street Barboursville, West Virginia Phone: Fax: E mail: fam.med.foundation@citynet.net Website: Page 12

13 TULLY SCHOLARSHIP FUND This program, administered by the Family Medicine Foundation of West Virginia, provides scholarships to medical students. Medical students in the 3 rd and 4 th years must specialize in family medicine and practice for one year in West Virginia upon completion of internship or residency training. The deadline for applications is March 20 th, unless you are accepted to medical school after that date. A student may apply for both the ESP and Tully, however, only one scholarship per student will be granted. Scholarships of $5,000 per year or $10,000 total for the third and fourth years of medical school are awarded on the basis of need and interest in family medicine. Recipient promises to specialize in the field of Family Medicine and to practice in West Virginia for one year upon completion of internship or residency training. After one year of practice is completed, repayment is waived. Physicians who do not fulfill the service agreement must repay the loans with interest. Federal regulations disallow concurrent service of this award with some federal programs. Johnna Gaunch, Program Coordinator Family Medicine Foundation of WV / Tully Fund 650 Main Street Barboursville, West Virginia Phone: Fax: E mail: fam.med.foundation@citynet.net Website: Page 13

14 HEALTH PROFESSIONS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM The Health Professions Recruitment Program serves as a statewide foundation to assist communities in the recruitment and retention of primary care providers. The provides extensive information about West Virginia practice opportunities to providers seeking placement assistance. A practice opportunity profile is prepared with information about a potential job site s clinical environment, the community s recreational assets, economic environment, educational resources, and other characteristics unique to the area. Upon request, the provider's curriculum vitae will be circulated to those sites that are currently recruiting. Placement services are free. Brandon Carman, Program Coordinator for Physicians Martha Endres, Program Coordinator for all other Professions E mail: brandon.k.carman@wv.gov To register: Revised HEPC 7/19/16 Page 14