<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.01.22.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="22" heading="Program Eligibility.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Eligibility. To be eligible for the program the individual shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Meet the licensure requirements set forth in §B of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Be a United States citizen or national;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Be liable and personally owe educational debt;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Have a valid employment contract with an eligible practice site in the State that will be in effect by the start of any service obligation to be fulfilled;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Provide evidence of practice as either part-time or full-time at that eligible practice site;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Practice full-time or part-time providing health care services at an eligible practice site, with at least 80 percent of time spent in direct patient care for a minimum of 45 weeks per year; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Utilize Program funds for the repayment of eligible education loans.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Licensure Requirements. To be eligible for the program, an individual shall be one of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A physician possessing active and valid licensure without restrictions or encumbrances to practice Allopathic Medicine in the State;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A physician possessing active and valid licensure without restrictions to or encumbrances to practice Osteopathic Medicine in the State;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A physician assistant possessing active and valid licensure without restriction or encumbrances in the State; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A final year medical resident who is specializing in primary care and overseen by a postgraduate training program in the State.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Eligibility Restrictions. An individual may not be eligible for the Program if they have:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A federal or state judgment lien;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Defaulted on any federal or state payment obligations even if the governmental creditor now considers them to be in good standing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Breached a prior service obligation to federal, state, or local government or other entity, even if the obligation is subsequently satisfied;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any federal or non-federal debt written off as uncollectible or received a waiver of any service or payment obligation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any outstanding contractual obligations for a health care professional service to the federal government, another state loan repayment program, or other entity unless those service obligations are completely satisfied prior to the commencement of the Program service obligation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Received the two maximum awards for service obligations to the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Eligible Practice Sites. An eligible practice site shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be an eligible field of employment in accordance with Health-General Article, §24–1704, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Be physically located in the State;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the practice site charges for health care professional services:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Charge at the usual and customary prevailing rate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Utilize a financial aid policy of discounts or sliding fee scale for individuals with limited incomes; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Accept reimbursement from Medicare, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, and the Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, if applicable to the patient type.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>