OAR 409-036-0070: Review Process for Loan Repayment Subsidies and Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Payments

(1) This rule relates solely to Loan Repayment Subsidies under OAR 409-036-0030 and Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Payments under OAR 409-036-0035. (2) Review Criteria. The Authority may consider the following factors in determining whether to accept an eligible provider for participation in the Program: (a) Eligible providers who apply to practice at a Qualified Practice Site, under OAR 409-036-0015, located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), as defined by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, that has been determined to not reach the threshold for federal National Health Service Corps (NHSC) or NurseCorps awards in a given year. (b) Eligible providers who apply to practice at a Qualified Practice Site located in a service area ranking below the median in the most recent Areas of Unmet Health Care Need report published by the Office and posted to the Office Website. (c) Eligible providers who will provide services in, or in affiliation with, a Patient-Centered Primary Care Home Program (PCPCH) recognized by the State of Oregon. (d) Physical location of eligible providers delivering telehealth services. (e) Eligible provider types, disciplines, or ethnic or linguistic diversity particularly needed in a community, including ethnicity, language spoken, specialty, or provider type. (f) Qualified Practice Site client demographic represents a priority population. (3) Upon approval of an application, the Authority will enter into a contract with the eligible provider. The Authority will disburse funds in accordance with the terms of this contract. (4) Funds are not considered obligated and must not be transferred until all required contractual documents have been executed by the applicant and the Authority designee. (5) An eligible provider participating in the Program may request to change their Program award status from practice full-time to practice part-time a maximum of one (1) time per term of the contractual agreement. (a) To request such change, an eligible provider must submit a completed Request for Program Award Status Change, available on the Office Website, and submit to the Office of Rural Health 30 days prior to the change occurring and then must meet approval by the Authority. (b) If approved by the Authority: (A) The eligible provider’s remaining disbursements under the contractual agreement will be reduced by half; and (B) The eligible provider will be required to enter into an amendment of the contract to reflect this change in status and updated disbursement terms.