Is there a service requirement for PCL?
Yes.
- You must enter a residency training program in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, combined medicine/pediatrics, preventive medicine or osteopathic general practice.
- You must complete your residency program within four years of graduation.
- You must practice in primary health care until the loan is paid in full.
What are some examples of primary health care and non-primary care residency and practice activities for the PCL Program?
Primary Health Care: Acceptable
- Clinical Preventive Medicine
- Occupational Medicine
- Public Health
- Public Policy Fellowship
- Senior Residencies in one of the above
- Faculty Administrators / Policy Makers certified in one of the Primary Health Care Disciplines
- Geriatrics
- Adolescent Medicine
- Adolescent Pediatrics
- Sports Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Urgent Care
- Hospitalist
Non-Primary Health Care: Not-Acceptable
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Surgery
- Dermatology
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation/Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- Other Subspecialty Training or Certification
Are there exceptions to the primary health care service obligation?
YES. However, your loan repayment obligation remains.
- Your primary health care service obligation may be waived if you terminate studies before graduating and do not later resume studies.
- Your primary health care service obligation may be suspended for the period you are not enrolled because you have terminated studies before graduating; your obligation is resumed when you return to medical school to complete your studies.
What if I do not fulfill the primary care service obligation?
At the point you fail to fulfill your service obligation, the outstanding loan balance will be computed at an interest rate of 7 percent from the date of noncompliance, compounded annually.
What if I accept PCL and change my mind about primary health care?
If you are not firmly committed to the practice of primary health care, you should not accept a PCL.
What if I want additional certification?
You may obtain additional certification in primary health care while fulfilling your service obligation, as long as you complete your primary health care residency program within four years after graduation. For example, if your primary care residency is completed in three years after graduation, you may obtain certification in an area of training to enhance your primary health care practice (i.e., geriatrics) at any time, and it will be considered an acceptable activity for fulfillment of your service obligation. However, you may not do additional training or obtain certification in any non-primary health care sub-specialty.