Dentist Loan Repayment/Forgiveness December 6, 2010 Debra Jahnke Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

2 The mission of the ORHPC is to promote access to quality health care for rural and underserved urban Minnesotans. From our unique position within state government, we work as partners with communities, providers, policymakers and other organizations. Together, we develop innovative approaches and tailor our tools and resources to the diverse populations we serve.

3 Loan Forgiveness/Repayment Increases access to services for uninsured, underinsured and underserved populations in the state by providing financial assistance to dentists to help repay educational debt in return for a service obligation to the target population.

4 Dental Loan Repayment/Forgiveness Minnesota Dentist Loan Forgiveness Program Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program National Health Service Corps Federal Loan Repayment Program

5 MN Dentist Loan Forgiveness Program State funded and administered; state contact is Amy Vallery Available to dental students or licensed dentists agreeing to a minimum of 25% of annual patient encounters serving public program enrollees or sliding fee schedule discounts Minimum 3-year obligation, maximum 4 years Up to $25,000 each year of the service obligation Applications will be available July 1, 2011

6 MN Dentist Loan Forgiveness Program Program began in participants to date Practicing in both urban and rural areas Dentists report the program is assisting them with being able to serve a population in great need of their services while providing many educational opportunities 46% of participants report deciding to work with underserved populations during dental training

7 MN State Loan Repayment Program State/federal funded, state administered; state contact is Deb Jahnke Available to fully trained licensed dentists working at eligible outpatient facilities Minimum 2-year service obligation Extensions for 1 or 2 years available, new applicants given priority Up to $20,000 each year of the service obligation Extensive default penalties

8 MN State Loan Repayment Program Obligation must be served in a federally designated HPSA at a program-approved facility Facilities must be non-profit or public, accept Medicare and Medicaid and implement a discount fee schedule for uninsured populations Participants must be employed full-time (40 hrs/wk) and provide at least 32 hours per week of direct outpatient care Application cycle open each year May - August

9 Ratio at least 1:4,000 Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA)

10 Ratio at least 1:4,000 Metro Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA)

11 National Health Service Corps Federally funded, federally administered; state contact is Deb Jahnke Available to fully trained licensed dentists working at eligible outpatient facilities Facilities must be located in a federally designated HPSA, accept Medicare and Medicaid and implement a discount fee schedule for uninsured populations Full-time and part-time options available (now*) One-year service contract amendments available as long as provider is eligible and has debt

12 NHSC Full-time Option Requires a minimum two-year service obligation at the approved facility Participants must be employed full-time (40 hrs/wk) and provide at least 32 hours per week of direct outpatient care Up to $30,000 each year of the service obligation (award level subject to change) Annual application cycle (open now through May 26, 2011); site must be approved first

13 Two NHSC Part-time Options Two-year or four-year service obligations at the approved facility Up to $15,000 each year of service obligation Participants must provide at least 20 hours per week of direct outpatient care New opportunity through the program, may not be a permanent option Application cycle is open now through May 26, 2011; site must be approved first

14 Office of Rural Health & Primary Care For more information visit the ORHPC website at: Program Contacts: Amy Vallery at Deb Jahnke at