Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 195 - GEORGIA BOARD FOR HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE › Chapter 195-20 - GEORGIA PHYSICIAN LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM › Rule 195-20-.02 - Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
Eligibility Criteria.
Program eligibility is limited to applicants who meet the following criteria:
a. Physicians must be licensed with no
			 restrictions and in good standing to practice in Georgia by the Georgia
			 Composite Medical Board.
b.
			 Physicians' practice must be limited to the specialties of Family Medicine (and
			 osteopathic general practice), General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics,
			 Obstetrics/Gynecology, Family Medicine with OB, Geriatrics, or General
			 Psychiatry. General Practitioners (physicians who have not completed a
			 residency training program) are not eligible for funding under the Georgia
			 Physician Loan Repayment Program.
c. Physicians must contractually agree to
			 practice in a Board-approved, targeted county in Georgia which is also
			 designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area by the federal government.
d. Physicians must agree to a
			 minimum two-year, full-time service obligation in a Board approved, targeted
			 county in Georgia which is also designated as a Health Professional Shortage
			 Area by the federal government.
e.
			 Physicians must practice in not-for-profit institutions or not-for-profit
			 medical practices.
f. Physicians
			 must maintain a Georgia Medicaid number and actively treat Medicaid patients in
			 their practice.
g. Physicians must
			 not have other current contractual service obligations, such as National Health
			 Service Corps Scholarships, Military Service obligations, or obligations to a
			 State or other entity prior to beginning this contract.
h. Physicians agree to accept reimbursement
			 under Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, utilize a
			 sliding fee scale, and see all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
i. All practice sites must be
			 located in federally-designated HPSAs and which also meet Rule
			 195-14-.01(12) and
			 be approved by the Board.
j. In
			 addition to the requirements set forth in subsection "i" above physicians must
			 work in a HPSA that corresponds to their training and/or discipline. For
			 example, psychiatrists must serve in a mental health HPSA.
k. Eligible practice sites must charge for
			 professional services at the usual and customary prevailing rates.
l. Eligible practice sites must provide
			 discounts for individuals with limited incomes (i.e., use a sliding fee scale).
(1) for those with annual incomes at or below
			 100 percent of the HHS Poverty Guidelines, the practice site must provide
			 services at no charge or at a nominal charge.
(2) for individuals between 100 and 200
			 percent of the HHS Poverty Guidelines, practice sites must provide a schedule
			 of discounts, which should reflect a nominal charge covered by a third party
			 (either public or private).
m. Physicians must meet all other
			 requirements as set forth by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce and the
			 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services
			 Administration.