Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP)

Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP) is sponsored by State of Alaska, Department of Health. This program strengthens healthcare access across Alaska by supporting the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in high-need communities.

Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP) | State of Alaska | Department of Health The Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP) is designed to strengthen health care access across Alaska by supporting the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in high-need communities.

HWEP offers quarterly direct incentive payments or student loan repayments to eligible providers who commit to serving at approved sites for three years. Employers must be approved by the program and execute an HWEP Employer Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Tribal Health Organizations recognized under 25 U.S.C. 1680c.

Governmental Entities – Local or state agencies. Non-Profit Health Care Organizations – Including hospitals, clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. For-Profit Health Care Organizations – operating qualifying service sites that meet HWEP criteria.

Eligible Site Types – Participating employers must operate one or more of the following approved site types: Assisted Living Homes, Behavioral Health Clinics, Correctional Facilities, Dental Clinics, Developmental Disability Services, Hospital and Medical Clinics, Long-Term Care Facilities, Substance-Use Treatment Facilities, Educational Institutions providing clinical training.

Site Eligibility Criteria Service area Designation - A site must meet at least one of the following: Located in rural community as defined in AS 18. 29. 190 (5,500 or less residents if nor connected by road/rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks, or 1,500 or less residents if connected).

Designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Medically Underserved Area (MUP), or Medically Underserved Population (MUP). Serves a population in which at least 30% of patients are uninsured, on Medicaid, or receiving federally funded care. Affiliated with an accredited education or training program for health care professionals.

If it provides health care services, the site must: Provide services to patients regardless of ability to pay. Accept Medicaid and Medicare. Charge usual and customary rates, with sliding-fee and no-cost policy.

Maintain credentialing processes, including licensure and NPDB checks. To qualify for participation in HWEP, professionals must meet all of the following conditions: Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Be domiciled in Alaska for the full duration of HWEP service.

Be employed by an approved HWEP employer at a program approved service site. Commit to a three-year service term and maintain compliance with all program reporting and licensing requirements. Professional Tiers – HWEP recognizes three professional tiers based on professional discipline: Physicians, Psychiatrists, Dentists, Pharmacists, Psychologists, and Doctors or Nursing Practice.

Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Nurse Midwives, CRNAs, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Registered Nurses. Physical Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Behavior Analysts, and Dental Hygienists.

Non-licensed or paraprofessional roles that directly support delivery to health care services (e.g. community health aids, behavioral health technicians, medical assistants, care coordinators). Full-Time: Minimum 36 hours per week across no less than 3 days (≈ 1,592 – 1,872 annual hours). Half-Time: Minimum 20 hours per week across no less than 2 days (≈ 900 – 1,040 annual hours).

Award Options – Qualified professionals may apply for one award type per MOA terms: Direct Incentive Payment – Quarterly taxable stipend to participant. Student Loan Repayment – Payment applied toward verified qualifying educational loans. Employers request affiliation for their organization and service sites.

This establishes eligibility and enables them to sponsor Health care professionals for incentive or loan repayment awards. 1 - Submit an Employer Affiliation Request Complete online: Employer Affiliation Request . This request confirms an organization’s intent to participate in HWEP and requires the employer to: Identify Authorized Representative, Reporting Contact, and Finance Contact.

Describe their credentialing and verification process (including licensure and NPDB checks). Attach their Recruitment and Retention Plan showing strategies for attracting, supporting, and retaining staff. Provide a Payer Type Summary for the previous calendar year.

2 - Submit a Site Request for Each Service Location Complete the Employer Site Request for every facility or clinic where HWEP participants will work. NOTE: Hours spent working at employer sites not approved will not count towards a professional’s required service obligation. Health care professionals apply after confirming that their employer is HWEP approved.

1 - Obtain Employer Sponsorship Prior to applying the professional must receive employer sponsorship. This is verified through the employer completed Employer Sponsorship Form. By completing the Employer Sponsorship Form, the employer confirms: Licensure and credential verification.

Employment information, and service level. Standard 12-Week work schedule. Very Hard to Fill Position Request, if applicable.

2 - Submit a Health Care Professional Application Complete online: Health Care Professional Application The professional must attach the following to the application: Employer Sponsorship Form, including 12-Week Work Schedule Form, Employer Worksites Form, and professional’s position description.

If applying for loan repayment, the following must be dated within 30 days, and attached: Loan disbursement showing original loan amount, purpose, and disbursement dates. Only qualified educational loans are eligible for repayment.

The following federal programs offer scholarships, and loan repayment to support and grow the health care workforce: National Health Service Corps The National Health Services Corps supports health care providers by providing loan repayment and scholarships to health care providers in exchange for service in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

The Nurse Corps program offers both loan repayment and scholarships to nurses, nursing students, and nurse faculty. In return participants commit to serving at eligible facilities with a critical shortage of nurses. Indian Health Services (IHS) IHS offers loan repayment assistance to healthcare professionals who commit to serve Native American and Alaska Native communities.

The HWEP Advisory Council consists of Commissioner appointed members with healthcare and workforce industry expertise. The Advisory Council’s main role is to provide recommendations to the Alaska Department of Health on healthcare workforce priorities and areas of need. Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public, information can be found at Alaska’s Online Public Notices website .