NHSC For Dental Students-Scholarship & LRP-

Texas Primary Care Office

Texas Primary Care Office

• Increase access to care for the underserved in Texas

• Expand and increase the health care safety net for underserved populations

• Measure access to medical, dental and mental healthcare (HPSAs & MUAs)

• Improve access through incentives and benefits for providers in underserved areas

2

Dental Care in Texas

3

Dental Health

Whole Counties Designated 89

Service Areas Designated 13

Population Groups Designated 36

Facilities Designated 114

Total Designations 252

Estimated Underserved Population

2,787,661

Texas Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas

Source: Health Resources and Services Administration, Division of Shortage Designation Basic Listing Primary Care

Dental HPSA Map

4

NHSC Overview

• What is NHSC?

• Scholarship & Loan Repayment Programs› Eligibility & Benefits

› Service Obligations

› Defaults & Penalties

• Helpful Resources› Assistance from TPCO

› Job Search Options

5

What is NHSC?

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) builds healthy communities by supporting qualified health care providers dedicated to working in areas of the United States with limited access to care.

6

7

Physician

Nurse Practitioner

Mental Health

Dentist

Physician Assistant

Nurse Midwife • 2%

2% • Dental Hygienist

25%

16%14%

12%

29%

More than 9,000 NHSC primary care providers are working in communities with limited access to health care nationwide.

NHSC In Texas

8

NHSC Providers in Texas as of 9/19/2011

Total Count of NHSC Participants 332

Total Count of NHSC Loan Repayment Program Participants 315

Total Count of NHSC Scholarship Program Participants 17

Total number of Approved NHSC Sites with Providers 208

Total number of Approved NHSC Sites 665

What Programs Does NHSC Offer?

9

The NHSC provides financial support to providers in exchange for working at approved sites located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

PROGRAMSCHOLARSHI

PREPAYMENT

LOAN

PROGRAM

Scholarship Program

10

11

An opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

• Must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. Accredited School.

• NHSC scholarships are for those studying to be Dentists (DDS or DMD).

• NHSC scholarships cannot be used for residency.

12

Selection Priorities

• Current scholars requesting additional support

• Recipients of a Federal Scholarship for Students of Exceptional Financial Need (EFN)

• Students from disadvantaged backgrounds

• Students with characteristics likely to remain in HPSAs

13

Benefits

• NHSC provides full payment for up to 4 years of education expenses:

› Tuition and fees

› Reasonable educational expenses

› Monthly stipend

• Students are not placed by NHSC and are responsible for finding an NHSC approved practice site.

14

Service Obligations

15

SUPPORTYEARS OF

SERVICEYEARS OF=

Scholars commit to serve in the Corps upon completion of their training — one year for each year of support (at least 2 years).

Service Obligations

• Minimum 2-year commitment

• Students will be obligated to provide service for every year they receive a scholarship over 2 years at a 1:1 ratio

16

Eligible Sites

• NHSC Practice Sites are pre-approved community practices in HPSAs that include:

› Community Health Centers

› State & Federal Prisons

› Rural Health Clinics

› Critical Access Hospitals

› Migrant Health Centers

› Private Practices

› Indian Health Service Sites

17

Eligible Sites

• Sites that employ NHSC clinicians must be located in the neediest HPSAs.

› The level of need is stated as the HPSA score.

› The cutoff score for 2011 is 16.

• HPSA information is available at http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov.

18

Default Penalties

• Payback triple the amount of scholarship payments received plus interest

• Payback is required in full within one year of breach of contract

• Defaulting on scholarship contract may lead to Federal prosecution and loss of practice license in some states

19

Additional Information

• Visit the NHSC website at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarship/

• You may sign up to be notified when the next application cycle opens.

20

Additional Financial Aid Opportunities

• Additional information about student financial assistance in Texas can be found online at http://www.hhloans.com.

21

Loan Repayment Program

22

23

An opportunity to pay off student loans while providing care to communities in need

Clinician Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or U.S. National

• Practice at, or be in contract negotiation with, an approved NHSC practice site

• Practice in an approved primary care discipline or specialty

• No concurrent service obligation

• Must have eligible outstanding loans that are not in default

Eligible Specialties

• Dentists (general or pediatric; DDS or DMD)

• Registered Dental Hygienists

Selection Priorities

• Disadvantaged Background

• Characteristics Likely to Remain in HPSAs

• Community need as shown by HPSA scores

› The priority score can change annually

› For 2011, the score is 17

Awards

Initial ContractFull-Time 2 Yrs

$60,000Half-Time 4 Yrs

$60,000Half-Time 2 Yrs

$30,000

3rd Year $40,000 Initial Contract $15,000

4th Year $40,000 Initial Contract $15,000

5th Year $30,000 $20,000 $20,000

6th Year $30,000 $20,000 $20,000

Total after 6 years of service $200,000 $100,000 $100,000

Awards

• Award amounts subject to change.

• Funds received through this program are not considered taxable income by the IRS.

• Payments are generally made within 90 days of the contract being signed by HRSA.

Service Obligations

• Minimum 2 year contract

• Full-time

› 40 hrs/wk

› 32 in direct patient care

• Half-time

› 20-39 hrs/wk

› 16 in direct patient care

Service Obligations

• The contract may be extended annually after the initial service obligation.

• There is limited transfer between sites with NHSC approval.

Eligible Sites

• Federally Qualified Health Center or Look-A-Like

• Certified Rural Health Clinic

• Critical Access Hospitals

• Hospital-Affiliate Primary Care Practice

• Indian Health Service Site (Federal or Tribal)

Eligible Sites

• Solo or Group Partnership or Practice

• Public Health Department

• U.S. Immigration, Customs Site

• State or Federal Prisons

• Managed Care Network

Benefits

• A portion of service obligation can be fulfilled by teaching

• Face-to-face and virtual networking opportunities provide support from other providers and community resources

• Educational support including access to free CEU courses

• Rewarding patient relationships

Default Penalties

• Return of all funds, plus interest, for time not served

• Additional $7,500 for each month of unfulfilled service

• Maximum allowable interest on the above amounts from date service ended

Default Penalties

• Default penalties are rare. NHSC will work with providers to retain them in service.

• Minimum default amount is $31,000.

How to Apply

http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/Search_HPOL.aspx

36

1Review the Application and Program Guidance

2Find a job at an NHSC-approved site or find out if your current job is at an NHSC-approved site

Apply online at NHSC.hrsa.gov

3

How to Apply

• The 2011 application cycle is now closed. To be notified when the 2012 application is available, sign up here: http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

• Annual application periods are subject to change

Texas Primary Care Office Can:

• Provide assistance on completing loan repayment, scholarship and waiver applications

• Find a practice site that meets your personal needs, specific program requirements and/or priority selection criteria

• Provide assistance to ensure you continue to meet program requirements and stay enrolled

38

Texas Primary Care Office Can:

• Find resources to support your practice in underserved areas

• Help you navigate the HPSA & MUA designations that we analyze and update on a regular basis

• Assist a facility in becoming an NHSC approved practice site

39

Job/Employee Search Assistance

• National Health Service Corps Job Opportunities

› Job seekers can search for positions by state, county, and type of position and do not need to be an NHSC participant. http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/

• Texas Health Match

› A free service to both facilities in Texas and medical professionals seeking employment in a medical facility in Texas. http://www.texashealthmatch.com/

40

Job/Employee Search Assistance

• TX Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC)

› TACHC member facilities can post vacancies. Job seekers search for free.

http://www.tachc.org/Careers/Opportunities.asp

• 3RNet (Rural Recruitment & Retention Network)

› 3RNet member facilities can post vacancies. Job seekers search for free. http://www.3rnet.org/

41

• TX Primary Care Office (512) 458-7518

› http://www.TXLRP.org

› NHSC Contact: Cindy Ellis (512) 776-2127 Cindy.Ellis@dshs.state.tx.us

• HRSA Call Center 1-800-221-9393

Contact Information

42

Questions?