UPDATE --  The application cycle for the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program is closed.  No new awards will be given in 2012.  The following information is retained on the Web site for informational purposes only.

Increasing access to primary care for underserved communities and populations is the goal of the Primary Care Office within the Primary Care and Rural Health Section at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). To assist in this endeavor, the Primary Care Office administers the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program designed to recruit or retain primary care physicians for underserved areas.  In exchange for loan repayment assistance, the physicians commit to a minimum of two years of practice at an eligible site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Health Resource Shortage Area, accept Medicare and Medicaid, and otherwise see patients regardless of ability to pay.

For the first two-year contract, selected applicants may receive up to $25,000 annually for repayment of outstanding medical school debt. Those who remain at their practice sites and otherwise maintain eligibility may be eligible to receive up to $35,000 annually for the third and fourth years. Decisions about loan repayment contract awards are made in the spring. Contact the program at the e-mail address provided below and in the application packet for details regarding funding decisions and timelines.

Eligibility

The following primary care specialties are eligible:

• Family Practice
• General Internal Medicine
• Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
• General Pediatrics 
• Adolescent Medicine  
• Obstetrics and Gynecology  
• Geriatrics 
• Psychiatry (General, Child and Adolescent, Geriatric)

In addition to this loan repayment program administered by the Primary Care Office, the Oral Health Section within ODH administers the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program and the Dentist Workforce Loan Repayment Program.  To learn more about these programs, visit http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/ohs/oral/safetynet/loanpgm.aspx.

Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program applicants must either be in current practice or in the final year of training at the time of application. If applicants have existing obligations to a government or other entity, the obligations must be met prior to beginning a loan repayment contract. In addition, the physicians must work full time, defined as 40 hours per week, at an approved practice site.

Practice Site Eligibility

Sites must be located in a HPSA or Health Resource Shortage Area.  Services must be provided to all patients, regardless of ability to pay.  In addition, sites are required to: 

• Accept Medicaid 
• Accept assignment for Medicare
• Post appropriate signage indicating care is available to all

Free Clinics are also eligible practice sites, provided they are in a HPSA or Health Resource Shortage Area.

For more details about eligibility and program benefits, see the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program application packet below.

Application

January 15th is the annual due date for applications.  All applications must be postmarked by that date.  Faxed applications will not be considered. 

However, please note that the application cycle for the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program is closed.  No new awards will be given in 2012. 

In addition to the application and forms in the packet available below, the following documents are also required:

• CV or resume 
• Copy of Ohio Medical License
• Background and biographical statements
• Copy of waiting room/lobby sign
• Practice site’s sliding fee scale, if applicable, and corresponding policy
• A letter authorizing the lenders to release financial information to ODH
• Copies of current loan balance statements
• Position Description
• Copy of employment contract

Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program Packet

Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program
Primary Care and Rural Health
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street – 7^th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 644-8496
Fax:  (614) 564-2432

E-mail: BCHS@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 1/11/12

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