Being a HPSA-designated community health center provides benefits not only to the current staff of the center, but also to students and candidates exploring their employment opportunities in the healthcare field. Here are just a few examples:
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NHSC Scholarship Program
NHSC Loan Repayment
Rural Health Clinic Certification
Medicare Reimbursement
Special Considerations
1. The NHSC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM provides scholarships for the training of health professionals who agree to serve in National Health Service Corps (NHSC) approved sites.
In order to qualify for the scholarships, scholars are required to provide service in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for a specified amount of time after completing their education. Only the very highest priority HPSAs nationally may qualify, as the number of scholars is small.
Click HERE for more NHSC information on the Scholarship Program.
2. NHSC LOAN REPAYMENT offers primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health care providers the opportunity to have their student loans repaid in exchange for providing health care in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Current award amounts range from $15,000 per year to $50,000 per year depending on full- or part-time employment status and the HPSA score of the employing facility. The payment must be used for repayment of educational loans. Providers can usually apply for an extension after completing their initial obligation.
Click HERE for more information on NHSC Loan Repayment.
Click HERE for more information about the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.
Click HERE for more information about the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program.
Click HERE for more information about the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program Program.
3. HPSA/MUA designation is one factor required to obtain RURAL HEALTH CLINIC CERTIFICATION.
Public Law 95-210 provides for Medicare and Medicaid cost-based reimbursement of services provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives in certified Rural Health Centers. In order to receive certification, the clinic must be located in a HPSA or MUA, be located in a rural county, and have a mid-level provider in the clinic at least 50% of the time the clinic is open.
Click HERE for more federal rural funding information.
4. Providers rendering service in a Geographic (not Special Population) HPSA may receive increased MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT.
These providers may receive a 10% increase in Medicare reimbursement by using either the QB or QU modifiers (based on geographic location) on the billing form. Contact your State Primary Care Office (PCO) for assistance.
For PCO contacts in Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY), link to our HPSA Contacts page.
5. HPSA applicants may be given SPECIAL CONSIDERATION when applying for some federal programs (grants and others).
In order to be considered for these advantages or extra points, it is important that you identify yourself as a HPSA site in all correspondence, applications, etc., using your designation letter as proof. Contact your State Primary Care Office for assistance.
For PCO contacts in Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY), link to our HPSA Contacts page.
Visit our CHC-Related Federal & State Programs page to learn about additional services.