Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program

Overview

The goal of the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program (OPLRP) is to increase access to primary care for underserved communities and populations. In exchange for loan repayment assistance, physicians commit to practice for a minimum of two years at an eligible site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Health Resource Shortage Area, accept Medicare and Medicaid, and see patients regardless of ability to pay.

For the first two-year contract, selected full-time applicants practicing a minimum of 40 hours per week may receive up to $25,000 annually for repayment of outstanding medical school debt. Those who remain at their practice sites and maintain eligibility may receive up to $35,000 annually for a third and fourth year of service. Part-time participants practicing between 20 and 39 hours per week may receive up to half the amount of full-time participants.

Physician Eligibility

The following primary care specialties are eligible:

• Family Practice
• General Internal Medicine
• Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• General Pediatrics
• Adolescent Medicine  
• Geriatrics 
• Psychiatry (General, Child and Adolescent, Geriatric)

Physicians applying to OPLRP must either be in current practice or in the final year of residency or fellowship training at the time of application. If applicants have existing obligations to a government or other entity, the obligations must be met prior to beginning a loan repayment contract.

Practice Site Eligibility

Practice sites must be located in a HPSA or Health Resource Shortage Area and provide primary and/or behavioral health services in an ambulatory setting.  Generally, physicians who practice primary care must be located in a primary care shortage area and psychiatrists must be located in a mental health shortage area. Physicians who practice in an integrated care site may be located in either a primary care or mental health shortage area.  In addition, sites are required to:

• Accept Medicaid 
• Accept assignment for Medicare 
• Accommodate all patients regardless of their ability to pay

Free Clinics may contact ODH at the phone number or e-mail address below to determine their eligibility as an OPLRP practice site.  Urgent care centers are not eligible practice sites.    

Application

In addition to the application and forms below, the following documents are required to apply:

• CV or resume 
• Copy of Ohio Medical License
• Background and biographical statements
• Copy of waiting room/lobby sign (if applicable)
• Practice site’s sliding fee scale and corresponding policy
• Authorization to lenders/loan servicers to release financial information to ODH
• Copies of current loan balance statements
• Position Description
• Copy of employment contract

Forms and Resources

• Application Packet -Please click on the link on the right side of this page to download a copy of the OPLRP Application Packet
• OPLRP Frequently Asked Questions
• State Loan Repayment Program Fact Sheet
• 2018 Poverty Guidelines
• OPLRP Law :(ORC: 3702.71 - 3702.81)
• OPLRP Rules (OAC: 3701-6-01 -  3701-6-04)