Rural Primary Care Physician Grant Program

The Rural Primary Care Physician Grant Program, administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services' (DHSS) Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC), provides funding to rural physicians beginning practice after July 1, 2022, in a Missouri county with a population of fewer than thirty-five thousand (35,000) inhabitants in return for providing primary care clinical services in rural Missouri.

Access the rule at 19 CSR 10-3.040 Rural Primary Care Physician Grant Program to review the application submission and selection process.

Eligibility

Eligibility for an award under this program requires a primary care physician to:
  • Begin providing primary care services after July 1, 2022, in a Missouri rural county, in which they have not previously practiced;
    • Primary Care is defined as:
      • General Medicine
      • Family Medicine
      • Internal Medicine
      • Pediatrics
      • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reside in the same Missouri rural county in which services will be provided;
  • Not have previously received an award of funds under the Rural Primary Care Physician Grant Program; and
  • Submit a bid application to the Department in accordance with 19 CSR 10-3.040 Rural Primary Care Physician Grant Program.

How to Apply

  • DHSS will accept bid applications February 1 through March 15, each year.
  • Applicants must respond to the Rural Primary Care Physicians Grant Program Invitation for Bid posted annually on February 1 at https://missouribuys.mo.gov/.
  • Applicants shall follow all application instructions regarding format and contents of the application, as described in the Invitation for Bid.

Applicants must include the following in their response to the Invitation to Bid:

Demographical information:
  • Applicant's full name;
  • Primary care specialty, including identifying Doctor of Allopathic Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, as a General, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric, or OB/GYN;
  • National Provider Number (NPI);
  • Medicaid Provider Number;
  • Medicare Provider Number;
  • Employment title;
  • Home address;
  • Home and work email addresses;
  • Employer name;
  • Proposed practicing site location, name, address, and county;
  • Contact phone numbers, including personal, home, and work;
  • DHSS also requests the following information for reporting purposes only and does not use it to determine awards or eligibility:
    • Substance Use Disorder Services provided (yes/no); and
    • Telehealth Services provided (yes/no).
  • A detailed written description of the proposed practice site, including the facility in which the applicant will work and the health care services the site currently provides.
    • If the applicant will utilize the funds to relocate or open a solo or private practice in a rural county, identify the expected location and employment title.
    • In the event that the applicant is not currently employed or practicing in the rural county, the applicant shall identify the intended rural county and employment information, including practice location, anticipated employment title, and start date projected to begin practice.
  • Official notification from the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts that the applicant is licensed in good standing.
  • Copy of the applicant's Missouri professional license.
  • Proof of malpractice insurance and a written statement from the applicant's malpractice insurance carrier setting forth any claims that have been made against the applicant and the disposition of those claims.
  • A copy of the applicant's job description for the proposed practice site.
  • A copy of the applicant's executed employment contract for the proposed practice site for a period of no less than two (2) years with the ability to renew up to at least five (5) years, or if self-employed an attestation agreeing to practice for at least five (5) years in the proposed practice site.
  • Proof that the location where the physician will practice medicine is in a designated HPSA. The applicant shall provide a print out of HPSA designations for the service area from http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov/HPSASearch.aspx. If no Missouri HPSA designations exist for the physician's service area, the applicant shall contact the department to identify other documentation of services to underserved patients.
  • The practice site's sliding scale or fee schedule, if used.

Selection and Award Process

  • The details of the selection process can be found on the Invitation for Bid.
  • The Department of Health and Senior Services may, subject to appropriated funds, contract with the selected awardee to provide grant award(s) of up to $200,000.
  • Payment will be made directly to the awardee in the form of direct deposit upon final DHSS approval of the written contract.

    • Service Obligation

  • The awardee(s) shall agree to reside and practice as a primary care physician in a Missouri rural county for a continuous five (5) year period and shall provide primary health care services to underserved populations in a Missouri HPSA.
  • The awardee shall adhere to all contract requirements and provide annual report as requested by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

    • Contact Information
    Address any questions or concerns to:

    Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
    Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
    P.O. Box 570, 930 Wildwood
    Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
    Phone: 573-751-6441
    Email (Preferred Method of Contact): DHSS.LoanRepayment@health.mo.gov