Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program

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Program Overview

The Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (Primary Care Provider LRP) aims to improve access to primary health care among underserved populations by providing assistance with repayment of educational loans to primary care medical, dental, and mental health practitioners. In exchange, practitioners must complete a minimum, 2-year service obligation at an eligible practice site/s located in a federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSA). Candidates must meet certain requirements to qualify and are subject to a maximum award depending on health care discipline. This program functions within the IDPH Deputy Director’s Office in the Bureau of Policy and Workforce Services.

Application Information

Depending on availability of funds, funding opportunities are listed in the State of Iowa grants management system (IowaGrants). The Primary Care Provider LRP funding opportunity is released as a request for proposal (RFP) that details the expectations and requirements for completing an application. All applications are completed and submitted within the IowaGrants system. Typically the RFP is posted annually in the fall with contracts beginning the following January. However, service credit begins when the contract period starts.

Once the application period has closed, applications are reviewed and awards are issued. Only eligible candidates who successfully submit the required documents and forms are considered for an award. Additionally, eligibility criteria may include priority designations, which are noted in the RFP.

Eligible Health Care Disciplines

Allopathic Medicine (MD)/ Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Family Medicine/ Osteopathic General Practitioners
General Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Obstetrics/ Gynecology
Geriatrics
Psychiatry General Practitioner

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

Adult
Family
Pediatrics
Psychiatry/mental health
Geriatrics
Women’s health

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Physician Assistant (PA)

Adult
Family
Pediatrics
Psychiatry/ mental health
Geriatrics
Women’s health

Registered Nurse (RN)
Health Service Psychologist (HSP, Clinical and Counseling)
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Lic. Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Lic. Independent Social Worker (LISW)
Psychiatric Nurse Specialist (PNS)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (LIC/CRED/CERT)
General and Pediatric Dentistry (DDS/DMD)
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Pharmacist

Eligible Health Care Practice Sites

Private Practices (Solo or Group)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Certified Rural Health Clinics

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)

Community Health Centers
Migrant Health Centers
Homeless Programs
Public Housing Programs

FQHC Look-a-Likes

Other Types of Health Facilitites

Community Outpatient Facilities
Community Mental Health Facilities
State and County Health Department Clinics
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps
Free Clinics
Mobile Units
School-based Programs
Critical Access Hospitals affiliated with a qualified outpatient clinic
Long-term Care Facilities
State Mental Health Facilities

Indian Health Service Facilities and Programs

Federal Indian Health Service (IHS) Clinical Practice Sites
Tribal/638 Health Clinics
Urban Indian Health Programs
IHS and Tribal Hospitals

Correctional or Detention Facilities

Federal Prisons
State Prisons

Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Resources

Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Guidance

This guidance provides information about eligibility and documentation requirements for the Primary Care Provider Loan Repayment Program. Additional programmatic details are provided in the Request for Proposal document that initiates the application process as well as the executed contract that is awarded to a recipient.

Federal Resources

Point of Contact:

Cristie Duric
Primary Care Officer
cristie.duric@idph.iowa.gov
(515) 229-3913