Rural Physician Incentive Program (RPIP)
RPIP offers an opportunity for medical education debt repayment for rural physicians practicing primary care medicine in Idaho federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The program is focused on physicians providing primary care medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. If there is a demonstrated high level of need in an eligible area as determined by the board, it may also include obstetrics and gynecology, general psychiatry, general surgery, and emergency medicine. RPIP is funded by a state appropriation and fees assessed to physicians attending the University of Washington and University of Utah medical schools in state-supported seats. Physicians may receive a maximum of $100,000 over a four-year period toward their academic debt. Preference is given to eligible physicians who paid into the RPIP fund. However, funding is not limited to these candidates. RPIP award decisions are made by the Health Care Access and Physician Incentive Grant Review Board. The application cycle begins on July 1 of each year and ends on August 30 of that same year.
Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP)
The Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) exists to assist rural and underserved Idaho communities in improving access to primary medical and dental health care. RHCAP awards are limited to a maximum of $35,000 for a one-year funding cycle. The application period is from July 1 - August 30 every year and for each 8-month project period, projects must be initiated and completed between November 1 and June 30. Proposed projects are required to address needs in areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA). Applicants may submit grant proposals that improve access to primary care and/or dental health services in any of the three assistance categories (Idaho Code 39-5906): community development, telehealth, and other (such as recruitment and retention).