Virginia Law

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Approved residency" means a graduate medical education program in family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology approved by the board. In determining whether a course of study is acceptable, the board may consider the reputation of the program and whether it is approved or accredited by (i) a regional or national educational or professional association, including such organizations as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Council on Postgraduate Training of the American Osteopathic Association, Council on Osteopathic College Accreditation, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, Education Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or their appropriate subsidiary agencies; (ii) any appropriate agency of the United States government; or (iii) any other organization approved by the board.

"Board" or "Board of Health" means the State Board of Health.

"Commercial loans" means loans made by banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, insurance companies, schools, and either financial or credit institutions that are subject to examination and supervision in their capacity as lenders by an agency of the United States or of the state in which the lender has its principal place of business.

"Commissioner" means the State Health Commissioner.

"Department" means Virginia Department of Health.

"Full-time" means at least 32 hours per week for 45 weeks per year.

"Geriatrics fellowship" means a geriatrics subspecialty training program following residency approved by the board. In determining whether a course of study is acceptable, the board may consider the reputation of the program and whether it is approved or accredited by (i) a regional or national educational or professional association, including such organizations as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Council on Postgraduate Training of the American Osteopathic Association, Council on Osteopathic College Accreditation, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, Education Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or their appropriate subsidiary agencies; (ii) any appropriate agency of the United States government; or (iii) any other organization approved by the board.

"Health professional shortage area" or "HPSA" means an area in Virginia designated by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health professionals in accordance with the procedures of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC § 254e) and implementing regulations (42 CFR Part 5).

"Participant" means an eligible primary care physician or a physician currently employed in a geriatrics fellowship who enters into a contract with the commissioner and participates in the loan repayment program.

"Penalty" means twice the amount of all monetary payments paid to the participant, less any service obligation completed.

"Practice" means the practice of medicine by a participant in a geriatrics fellowship or in one of the designated primary care specialties in a specific area determined to fulfill the participant's loan repayment obligation.

"Primary care" means the specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology.

"Reasonable educational expenses" means the costs of education, exclusive of tuition, that are considered to be required by the school's degree program or an eligible program of study, such as fees for room, board, transportation and commuting costs, books, supplies, educational equipment and materials, and travel that was a part of the estimated student budget of the school in which the participant was enrolled.

"State or local institution" means any Virginia state agency or local government agency that may require services of a primary care practitioner. This includes, but is not limited to, the Department of Health, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and local community services boards.

"Virginia medically underserved area" or "VMUA" means an area in Virginia designated by the State Board of Health in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Identification of Medically Underserved Areas in Virginia (12VAC5-540) and § 32.1-122.5 of the Code of Virginia.