The Physician Education Loan Repayment Program (PELRP) provides loan repayment funds for physicians who agree to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for at least four years.  Participating physicians must provide health care services to recipients enrolled in Medicaid and the Texas Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Also, up to ten physicians per year may qualify by serving patients in a Texas Juvenile Justice Department or Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.

The PELRP was expanded substantially with the passage of HB 2154 by the 81st Texas Legislature. However, spending authority for the PELRP was reduced from $22 million for the 2010-2011 biennium, to $5.6 million for 2012-2013. For this reason, no new participants have been accepted into the program since the summer of 2011.

Program Update 

If the 2014-2015 budget bill passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature becomes law, the Coordinating Board will be able to: (1) disburse all third and fourth-year awards for current participants in the program and (2) enroll new participants into the program.

We are now accepting applications for enrollment. For eligibility requirements, award amounts, and other information, go to the PELRP Fact Sheet. To download the fillable application form, go to PELRP Application for Enrollment.

The priority deadline for the initial group of new applications is August 31, 2013. Applications will be ranked after this date according to the priorities established in the current administrative rule for application ranking criteria.

Physicians who are already participating in the program will receive service verification forms approximately 30 days before the end of their current 12-month service periods.

Questions regarding the PELRP should be directed to the THECB by email or by calling 1-800-242-3062 (from outside the Austin area) or 512-427-6340 (Austin area). 

For information on loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps, please visit: Texas Primary Care Office.