OAR 575-071-0040: Terms of Agreement

Prospective physicians, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who wish to participate in the Rural Health Services Program shall agree that: (1) For each year of medical, pharmacy, dental, physician assistant, or graduate school, the applicant shall designate an amount from the student loans borrowed by him or her, not to exceed $25,000 as a qualifying loan subject to repayment through this program. (2) In the time period immediately following the completion of all residency requirements or the time period immediately following the execution of a Rural Health Services Agreement, whichever comes later, a physician or dentist applying to participate in the Rural Health Services Program agrees to practice full-time in a 'qualifying practice site' for at least three full years. (3) For not less than three years, nor more than five years, that a physician or dentist participating in the Rural Health Services Program serves in a 'qualifying practice site', the Commission shall annually pay to the participant an amount that is a percentage of the total of all qualifying loans through the programs described in ORS 442.550. (4) In the time period immediately following the completion of all pharmacy residency requirements or the five years following the execution of a Rural Health Services agreement with the Commission, whichever comes later, a pharmacist agrees to practice for at least three full years in a 'qualifying practice site'. (5) For not less than three nor more than five years that a pharmacist serves in a 'qualifying practice site', the commission shall annually pay an amount that is a percentage of the total of all qualifying loans made to the pharmacist through the programs described in ORS 442.550. (6) In the time period immediately following the completion of physician assistant or graduate school or the time period immediately following the execution of a Rural Health Services Agreement, whichever comes later, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner applying to participate in the Rural Health Services Program agrees to practice full-time in a 'qualifying practice site' for at least two full years. (7) For not less than two nor more than four years that a physician assistant or nurse practitioner practices in a 'qualifying practice site', the Commission shall annually pay to the participant an amount that is a percentage of the total of all qualifying loans through the programs described in ORS 442.550. (8) If the participant does not complete the full service obligation set forth in section (2), (4) or (6) of this rule, the Commission shall collect 100 percent of any payments made by the Commission to the participant under this program. In addition, a penalty equal to 50 percent of the qualifying loans and interest paid by the Commission shall be assessed by the Commission, to be credited to and deposited in the Rural Health Services Fund established under ORS 442.570.