Montana Rural Physician
Incentive Program
Benefits and Obligations
Program benefits allow up to a maximum of $100,000 in loan repayment benefits to be applied toward qualified medical education loans for full-time participating physicians over a one- to five-year period of service in an approved location. Qualifying physicians are not guaranteed the maximum repayment amount. Proportionately reduced repayment amounts are available for physicians practicing less than full-time. Approved physicians remain eligible for assistance only for the first five years of practice in Montana. Awards are not made retroactively. Service occurring more than 90 days prior to the date of application is subtracted from the five years of potential eligibility. For physicians who are ineligible during their first five years of practice due to participation in a federal or Indian Health Service (IHS) loan repayment program or while completing a federal or IHS practice obligation, the MRPIP eligibility period will be deferred until completion of their federal or IHS program participation.
Graduated payments are disbursed directly to verified lending institutions in six-month increments over the physician’s designated service period. Completion of the full six-month period is required prior to eligibility for disbursement. An example of the graduated payment schedule for a full-time physician approved to receive the maximum repayment benefit is listed below:
| $5,000— 6 mos. of service | $10,000—36 mos. of service | |
| $5,000—12 mos. of service | $12,500—42 mos. of service | |
| $7,500—18 mos. of service | $12,500—48 mos. of service | |
| $7,500—24 mos. of service | $15,000—54 mos. of service | |
| $10,000—30 mos. of service | $15,000—60 mos. of service |
These benefits are in addition to any salary or other compensation received by the physician until the obligation is satisfied.
Federal repayment assistance may be available under the National Health Services Loan Repayment program. Candidates are encouraged to apply for such benefits. Only qualified medical school loan debts which are not eligible for repayment under a federal loan repayment program are eligible for repayment under the Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program. State and federal loan repayment benefits may not be received concurrently.
