July 17, 2023

Tips and Tools for Completing the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Application

The Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program application is open now through July 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Gathering and submitting the necessary documents is an important part of the application process. Review the criteria listed in the Application Program Guidance (pages 37-39) and have the following documents ready.

• Proof of Status as a United States citizen, national or a permanent resident – You may include a copy of a birth certificate, the ID page of a current United States passport, a certificate of citizenship, or naturalization of copy of Permanent Resident Card (greencard). Note: Copies of a driver’s license or a Social Security card are not acceptable documents.
• Health Professional License, Certification or Registration – Submit proof of tour current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license, certificate or registration (whichever is applicable), with an expiration date in the state in which you intend to practice under or from any state if practicing in a federal site.
• Health Professional License, Certification or Registration – Submit proof of completion of your health professional degree.
• Loan Information Verification – Provide two types of documentation for each loan that is being submitted for consideration.

Account Statement. This document is used to provide current information on your eligible loans. Often borrowers receive monthly statements indicating the status of your loan balance.

Disbursement Report. This report is used to verify the originating loan information.

• Additional Supplemental Documentation (if applicable):

• • Specialty Certification
  • Postgraduate Training
  • Completion Verification
  • Postgraduate Training Acceptance or Good Standing Verification
  • Substance Use Disorder Certification/License
  • Verification of Existing Service Obligation

Final Q & A Session:

Thursday, July 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

Join on Zoom

Complete Your Application

For application or password reset questions contact: Customer Care Center 1-800-221-9393 or TTY: 1-877-897-9910

July 11, 2023

Funding Opportunity Now Open: Gain Access to CMS Restricted Data for Minority Health Research Initiatives – CMS-2L2-23-001

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is proud to announce the opening of a new notice of funding opportunity for the Health Equity Data Access Program (HEDAP). Through the HEDAP, CMS OMH supports up to three “seats” in the CMS Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC), with each individual grant worth up to $90,000. The HEDAP assists researchers from public and state-controlled, or private institutions of higher education, in gaining access to CMS restricted data for minority health research.

Researchers will conduct health services research focusing on, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minority groups; people with disabilities; members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community; individuals with limited English proficiency; individuals residing in rural areas; and individuals adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Project should enhance the capacity of the researcher to understand and utilize CMS data in future research projects. HEDAP also encourages cutting-edge proposals that explore intersectionality. Results of the research will provide CMS and its partners (e.g., Quality Improvement Organizations, Hospital Engagement Networks, and other stakeholders) with actionable information on the previously listed subgroups of enrollees.

Researchers that are selected for the grant will receive funding to acquire VRDC seat access for a period of thirty-six months. Review the notice of funding opportunity CMS-2L2-23-001. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 3pm ET.

Research topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• To research racial and ethnic minority groups; people with disabilities; members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community; individuals with limited English proficiency; individuals residing in rural areas; and individuals adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality among Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP enrollees.
• The relationship between health disparities and improving the quality of care, increasing access to care, estimating the economic burden/financial costs of disparities, evaluating the effects of health care delivery system and payment model reforms, exploring disparity sensitive conditions or diseases and strengthening population health for all of the above-mentioned populations.

To learn more, visit go.cms.gov/hedap or email HEResearch@cms.hhs.gov