The Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP) provides qualifying physicians, dentists, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists incentive payment in return for three continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community. Requests for participation in this recruitment program are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. A community or facility representative should contact the Office of Rural Health to request an assessment to determine eligibility. The amount of the incentive payment beginning July 1, 2024, for a qualifying physician or dentist is $256,204.00. The amount of the incentive payment beginning July 1, 2024, for a qualifying physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist is approximately $70,751.20.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be licensed as a physician in South Dakota
- Have completed an accredited residency program in family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, or obstetrics/gynecology
- Be a United States citizen
- Agree to practice full-time as a physician in an eligible community for at least three consecutive years
- Agree to be a participating South Dakota medical assistance provider and to serve any individual eligible under SDCL 28-6 and may not refuse treatment to any such individual while participating in the program
- Provide services to Medicaid, Medicare, and State Children's Health Insurance Program patients
- Not have previously participated in such a program, or any other state or federal scholarship, loan repayment, or tuition reimbursement program which obligates the person to provide medical services within an underserved area
- Be recruited to a community and be on-site and practicing for less than four months
Currently, there is 1 slot available for a physician to participate in this program.*
*NOTE: The number of participants is current as of September 10, 2024, and subject to change.
- Be licensed as a dentist in South Dakota
- Be a United States citizen
- Agree to practice full-time as a general or pediatric dentist in an eligible community for at least three consecutive years
- Agree to be a participating South Dakota medical assistance provider and to serve any individual eligible under SDCL 28-6 and may not refuse treatment to any such individual while participating in the program
- Provide services to Medicaid, Medicare, and State Children's Health Insurance Program patients
- Not have previously participated in such a program, or any other state or federal scholarship, loan repayment, or tuition reimbursement program which obligates the person to provide medical services within an underserved area
- Be recruited to a community and be on-site and practicing for less than four months
Currently, there are 3 slots available for a dentist to participate in this program.*
*NOTE: The number of participants is current as of September 10, 2024, and subject to change.
- Be licensed in South Dakota as a physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist
- Be a United States citizen
- Agree to practice full-time in an eligible community for at least three consecutive years
- Agree to be a participating South Dakota medical assistance provider and to serve any individual eligible under SDCL 28-6 and may not refuse treatment to any such individual while participating in the program
- Provide services to Medicaid, Medicare, and State Children's Health Insurance Program patients
- Not have previously participated in such a program, or any other state or federal scholarship, loan repayment, or tuition reimbursement program which obligates the person to provide medical services within an underserved area
- Be recruited to a community and be on-site and practicing for less than four months
Currently, 0 slots are available for a physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist to participate in this program.*
*NOTE: The number of participants is current as of September 10, 2024, and subject to change.
- Have a population of 10,000 or less and must not be located within a 20-mile radius extending from the city center of a city of 50,000 people or more
- Have an unmet provider need > 0.25 FTE
- Agree to pay a pro-rated portion of the total amount of the incentive payment (see below). Payment to the provider must be made during the contract time frame.
|
Physician or Dentist |
|||
| Population | Percentage | Community Payment | State Payment |
| 0 – 2,500 | 25% | $64,051.00 | $192,153.00 |
| 2,501 – 4,999 | 50% | $128,102.00 | $128,102.00 |
| 5,000 – 10,000 | 75% | $192,153.00 | $64,051.00 |
|
Physician Assistant, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
|||
| Population | Percentage | Community Payment | State Payment |
| 0 – 2,500 | 25% | $17,687.80 | $53,063.40 |
| 2,501 – 4,999 | 50% | $35,375.60 | $35,375.60 |
| 5,000 – 10,000 | 75% | $53,063.40 | $17,687.80 |
- Be assessed by the Department of Health to evaluate the community's need for eligible providers and its ability to sustain and support additional providers and be found eligible for participation. In determining eligibility, our office reviews information such as:
- Number of provider full-time equivalent (FTE) in the community
- Population of the community and surrounding area
- Ratio of 1 provider FTE per 1,500 people to determine the need for an additional physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetists
- Ratio of 1 provider FTE per 3,000 people to determine the need for an additional dentist
View All Communities that Have Participated in the Program
This map shows all the communities that have participated in the Recruitment Assistance Program since 2012.
View Communities Currently Participating in the Program
This map shows the communities participating in the Recruitment Assistance Program in 2023.
View laws pertaining to the Recruitment Assistance Program
View Recruitment Assistance Program FAQs
For additional information about the Recruitment Assistance Program, contact: Department of Health, Office of Rural Health, 600 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501, phone 1-800-738-2301.