Primary Care Office (PCO) Programs

Assists communities in improving access to primary healthcare in Georgia’s rural and urban underserved areas

Primary Care Access Plan

Partners with
- Georgia Association for Primary Healthcare, Inc. (PCA) (www.gaphc.org)
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) in an effort to reduce non-emergent emergency room (ER) visits and increase the number of Georgians with medical homes through the Alternative Non-Emergency Services Provider Project (a/k/a ER Diversion Project)
  
  ER Summary
- Federal entities to assist underserved communities with recruiting and retaining physicians and other allied-health professionals:
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) (nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/) helps HPSA communities develop, recruit and retain physicians and other allied-healthcare personnel through federal loan repayment and scholarship programs
  
  NHSC Programs
- The National Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet) (http://www.3rnet.org/). This network assists in the improvement of rural and underserved communities' access to quality health care through recruitment of physicians and other health care professionals.
  
  • Register your Facility on 3RNet here.
  
  • Candidates Register here.

Facilitates Georgia’s J-1 Visa Waiver Program, a state/federal partnership sponsoring international medical graduates (IMGs) in J-1 immigration status.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - Updated 8/28/08

J1 Visa Waiver Program
J1 Visa Policy - Updated 2/14/07
J1 Visa Application - Updated 2/14/07

Assists communities in applying for federal designation for assistance with recruiting of healthcare providers
- Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation types
  - Primary Care
  - Dental
  - Mental Health
- Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) categories of designation types
  - Geographic – areas eligible for a 10 percent additional incentive payment in Medicare reimbursements for outpatient care
  - Population – poverty, low income, Medicaid-eligible, migrant and homeless
  - Facility
- Medically Undeserved Areas/Populations (MUA/Ps)
  
  Visit the Bureau of Health Professions, Shortage Designation Branch for a national listing (http://www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/index.htm)

Helps plan for new and/or expanded community health centers (CHCs)
- Policy Information Notices & Program Assistance Letters - Updated 8/28/08
- Primary Health Care - The Health Center Program - Updated 8/28/08
- Starting a Rural Health Clinic - A How-To Manual - Updated 8/28/08
Assesses primary care needs and shares data and resources

For more information contact:
Tina Orrick, Director
Primary Care Office
502 Seventh Street South, Cordele, Georgia 31015-1443
Telephone: (229) 401-3094 - Fax: (229) 401-3077 or 401-3084
Email: torrick@dch.ga.gov