Houston Healthcare - Houston County
Overview
In an effort to invest in our healthcare providers, Houston Healthcare System put in extensive effort to lay the groundwork for three types of federal designations for our county. We are now a recognized Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). This opens the doors for benefits such as federal and state funded student loan forgiveness for physicians, advanced practitioners, mental/behavioral health clinicians and nurses. Along with our healthcare providers, Houston Healthcare System is committed to the health and wellbeing of our community with the hopes that through this recruitment and retention initiative, we can boost access to healthcare in our county.
What is a HPSA?
HPSAs are designations that indicate health care provider shortages in three platforms of health: primary care, mental health, and dental health. Each platform of health receives its own designation. Each designation is scored to show the severity of the shortage. Scores range from 0 to 25, with 25 having the greatest shortage. The maps below outline each type of HPSA for Houston County.
In a Primary Care HPSA: Yes
HPSA Name: LI – Houston County
ID: 1131543454
Designation Type: Low Income HPSA Population
Status: Designated
Score: 16
Designation Date: 03/06/2012
Last Update Date: 08/06/2021
In a Mental Health HPSA: Yes
HPSA Name: LI – Phoenix Catchment Area
ID: 7132705459
Designation Type: Low Income HPSA Population
Status: Designated
Score: 17
Designation Date: 12/14/2011
Last Update Date: 08/25/2021
In a Dental Health HPSA: No
What are the benefits of a HPSA?
In an effort to boost provider recruitment and retention in these often-rural shortage areas, benefits have been established to help build healthcare access to those who need it the most. Here are the benefits available in our specific shortage designations.
Loan repayment opportunities are possible because Houston Healthcare System forged new partnerships and secured HPSAs in this region. Loan repayment is just one benefit that acknowledges you as the driving force that makes healthcare possible in our
Physicians – National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program, Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program
Advanced Practitioners – National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (nurses only), Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program
Registered Nurses – Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
Mental Health Providers – National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program
What do these loan repayment programs offer?
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program – Advanced practice nurses and registered nurses may be eligible to apply for loan repayment worth up to 85% off their student loan balance in return for working at a Critical Shortage Facility, like our hospital.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program – Physicians, advanced practitioners, and mental health providers may be eligible for up to $50,000 for a 2-year service commitment at an NHSC-certified site in an HPSA. One-year extension contracts are available for the remaining student loan balance.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) – CNAs, certified medical assistants, licensed occupational therapists, LCSWs, LPCs, MFTs, master’s level social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, psychology doctoral interns, behavioral health paraprofessionals, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, CRNAs, CNMs, CNSs, LPNs, PNSs, pharmacists, and SUD counselors may be eligible for up to $250,000 for a 6-year service commitment at a STAR-certified site.
To find out if your address is located in this HPSA designation, please visit the following website:
https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/by-address
For more information, please contact:
HPSA Acumen’s Benefit Support Specialists are available to you:
716.483.0888 ext. 206
Email us here at [email protected]
Facility Contact Information:
Cara G. Siebert
Manager – Talent Acquisition & Growth
478-352-5447
[email protected]