(Washington, DC) – Today, the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), which provides loan repayment services to eligible providers practicing in HPLRP-certified Service Obligation Sites (SOS) in the District. DOH will be accepting new provider applications between April 1 - May 15, 2013.
Eligible providers for the HPLRP include licensed and certified physicians and dentists; dental hygienists; registered nurses; advanced practice nurses; physician assistants; and the following mental health providers: clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, and professional counselors.
Providers interested in the program must be employed or have an employment contract with a certified Service Obligation Site (SOS) to provide direct patient care for at least 40 hours per week. A site must be an approved SOS for a provider to be eligible for the HPLRP. To become a SOS, a site must be a public or non-profit entity located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and must submit an application to the HPLRP. Applicants must submit completed applications to the DOH by May 15, 2013.
Two-year loan repayment contracts will be issued in July 2013. The contracts amounts will be equivalent to 44 percent of a provider’s total eligible debt up to $61,229 for physicians and dentists and up to $33,676 for all other eligible professionals.
The program will be issuing approximately 4 to 6 two-year awards, with the majority of awards to be made to primary medical care practitioners (e.g. primary care physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and nurses). Up to one award may be issued to each of the following disciplines, dental (dentists, dental hygienists) and mental health (psychiatrists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, professional counselors), respectively. As outlined in the legislation, preference will be given to practitioners in community-based settings.
For more information please select here or contact the loan repayment program directly at [email protected] or (202) 442-9168.