HHS Reopens Physician Waiver Program for Underserved Areas

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently reopened its J-1 waiver program for physicians working in underserved areas. The program was closed several months ago without warning or explanation. When the waiver program reopened, the agency announced several additional rules that will significantly reduce the number of physicians that will be eligible for waivers.

HHS will qualify only facilities in Health Professional Shortage Areas with a score of 14. Previously, facilities in any Health Professional Shortage Area as well as Medically Underserved Areas were eligible. In addition, the only physicians eligible to seek a waiver will be employed at health centers qualified under the Public Health Service Act, rural facilities as defined by the Social Security Act and Native American/Alaskan Native tribal facility.

Critics of the program have questioned why HHS felt it necessary to further restrict eligibility when only a few dozen physicians applied under the more liberal rules. According to HHS, the agency received only 43 applications in the several months the program was active. And the timing is even more awkward. A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that medical school deans are deeply worried about the future supply of doctors. The AMA confirmed that the nation is facing a severe physician shortage - particularly for specialists - and immediate action is needed.

For more information about J-1 Waivers of the foreign residency requirement, please see the Peng & Weber J-1 Waiver page.