In a move to strengthen the health care workforce in rural regions, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is stepping up efforts with a student loan repayment program for health care providers. The North Carolina Primary Care Physician Incentive targets physicians who set up shop in independent private practices in some of the state’s most underserved areas. "We deeply value the dedication of our private practice physicians and recognize the essential role they play in ensuring health care access for our rural communities," Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai stated, highlighting the significance of this initiative, as oer NCDHHS.
With a rural population that is the second largest nationwide, North Carolina's push to enhance medical services for its almost 4.6 million rural residents is critical. The health and wellness of those living away from urban centers often hinge on the accessibility to primary care. Before 2025, it seemed local practices in these areas were bypassed by the state-funded North Carolina Loan Repayment Program, but this is changing. Now, the NCDHHS Office of Rural Health, following a one-time funding decision made in the State Fiscal Year 2024, is piloting the incentive.
The program opens its doors to a broad range of specialties, from family and internal medicine to psychiatry, aiming to fill gaps particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties — regions identified as economically distressed. The NCDHHS anticipates distributing up to 16 awards per the six Medicaid Regions in North Carolina. This selective approach is part of a larger $50 million investment by the North Carolina General Assembly to bolster health care, nursing, and mental health services.
For those interested, application forms are now available through the NCDHHS Office of Rural Health website. However, prospective applicants should be prompt – the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the completion of all required eligibility conditions.
