128553. (a) Program applicants shall possess a current valid license to practice medicine in this state issued pursuant to Section 2050 of the Business and Professions Code or pursuant to the Osteopathic Act.
(b) The department shall develop guidelines using the criteria specified in subdivision (c) for selection and placement of applicants. The department shall interpret the guidelines to apply to both osteopathic and allopathic physicians and surgeons.
(c) The guidelines shall meet all of the following criteria:
(1) Provide priority consideration to applicants that are best suited to meet the cultural and linguistic needs and demands of patients from medically underserved populations and who meet one or more of the following criteria:
(A) Speak a Medi-Cal threshold language.
(B) Come from an economically disadvantaged background.
(C) Have received significant training in cultural and linguistically appropriate service delivery.
(D) Have three years of experience providing health care services to medically underserved populations or in a medically underserved area, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 128552.
(E) Have recently obtained a license to practice medicine.
(2) Include a process for determining the needs for physician services identified by the practice setting and for ensuring that the practice setting meets the definition specified in subdivision (h) of Section 128552.
(3) Give preference to applicants who have completed a three-year residency in a primary specialty.
(4) Give preference to applicants who agree to practice in a medically underserved area, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 128552, and who agree to serve a medically underserved population.
(5) Give priority consideration to applicants from rural communities who agree to practice in a physician owned and operated medical practice setting as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 128552.
(6) Include a factor ensuring geographic distribution of placements.
(7) Provide priority consideration to applicants who agree to practice in a geriatric care setting and are trained in geriatrics, and who can meet the cultural and linguistic needs and demands of a diverse population of older Californians. On and after January 1, 2009, up to 15 percent of the funds collected pursuant to Section 2436.5 of the Business and Professions Code shall be dedicated to loan assistance for physicians and surgeons who agree to practice in geriatric care settings or settings that primarily serve adults over the age of 65 years or adults with disabilities.
(d) (1) The department may appoint a selection committee that provides policy direction and guidance over the program and that complies with the requirements of subdivision (l) of Section 128552.
(2) The department may award up to 20 percent of the available positions to program applicants from specialties outside of the primary care specialties.
(e) Program participants shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Shall be working in or have a signed agreement with an eligible practice setting.
(2) Shall have full-time status at the practice setting. Full-time status shall be defined by the department and the department may establish exemptions from this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
(3) Shall commit to a minimum of three years of service in a medically underserved area. Leaves of absence shall be permitted for serious illness, pregnancy, or other natural causes. The department shall develop the process for determining the maximum permissible length of an absence and the process for reinstatement. Loan repayment shall be deferred until the physician is back to full-time status.
(f) The department shall adopt a process that applies if a physician is unable to complete their three-year obligation.
(g) The department, in consultation with those identified in subdivision (b) of Section 128551, shall develop a process for outreach to potentially eligible applicants.
(h) The department may adopt any other standards of eligibility, placement, and termination appropriate to achieve the aim of providing competent health care services in approved practice settings.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 187. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)