Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program

The application cycle for the Ohio Physician Loan Repayment Program (OPLRP) is closed.
Applications postmarked by February 15, 2020 will be reviewed and applicants notified when funding decisions have been made.
Click the 'Download' button on this page to download the OPLRP Application Packet.

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.    

Forms and Resources

• Application Packet - Click the "Download" button on this page to download the OPLRP Application Packet
• OPLRP Frequently Asked Questions
• State Loan Repayment Program Fact Sheet
• Current Poverty Guidelines
• OPLRP Law :(ORC: 3702.71 - 3702.81)
• OPLRP Rules (OAC: 3701-6-01 -  3701-6-04)