Rule 195-20-.02 - Eligibility Criteria and Application Process(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. (2)Application Process.Each applicant must:
a. Submit a completed application form. b. Submit a full disclosure of all outstanding medical educational and training debt and service commitment obligations. c. Request the completion and submission of a site assessment form from the practice entity or employer. d. Submit documentation of the not-for-profit tax status of the practice entity. e. Submit a copy of the contract between the practice entity and the applicant or a letter of attestation from the applicant documenting a commitment to full time (40+ hours per week) practice in the rural community where the practice is located. f. Attest that the applicant does not have any other current service obligation, such as National Health Service Corp, Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, or Military Service obligations. g. Submit a signed and notarized O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1(f)(1)(B) Affidavit. h. Submit one secure and verifiable document under O.C.G.A. § 50-36-2.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 195-20-.02
O.C.G.A. §§ 49-10-1, 50-36-1(f)(1)(B), 50-36-2.
Original Rule entitled "Eligibility Criteria and Application Process" adopted. F. Apr. 18, 2017; eff. May 8, 2017.Repealed: New Rule of the same title adopted. F. Dec. 26, 2019; eff. Jan. 15, 2020.