64W-4.001. Definitions

(1) “Eligible professions” means medical doctors with primary care specialties, doctors of osteopathic medicine with primary care specialties, physician assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with primary care specialties, and advanced practice registered nurses engaged in autonomous practice as defined in section 464.0123(3)(a), F.S. (autonomous APRNs).

(2) “Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)” means a geographic area, an area having a special population, or a facility, as designated by the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

(3) “Lender” means any entity involved in making, holding, consolidating, originating, servicing, or guaranteeing any loan to students to finance higher education expenses. This includes lenders who provide private educational loans as well as lenders who provide loans that are made, insured, or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education.

(4) “Primary care specialties” means as follows:

(a) Medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine (physicians) practicing in obstetrics, gynecology, general and family practice, which includes geriatrics; general internal medicine, which includes geriatrics; general pediatrics, and psychiatry.

(b) Autonomous APRNs and APRNs practicing in general and family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, or midwifery.

(5) “Public health program” means a county health department, the Children’s Medical Services program, a federally funded community health center (a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and FQHC Look-Alike designated by the HRSA) or a federally funded migrant health center, any publicly funded health care program, or a nonprofit health care program.

(a) A publicly funded health care program is an organization or business that provides healthcare and is funded by either the federal government, or State of Florida, or a local government. Acceptance of Medicare and/or Medicaid does not render a program publicly funded.

(b) A nonprofit health care program is an organization or business that provides healthcare and is registered as a nonprofit with the Florida Department of State or approved for 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

(6) “Qualified loan” means a federal and/or private student loan with a U.S.-based lender that has a verified principal balance remaining which loan proceeds were used to pay educational expenses enumerated in sections 1009.65(1)(a)1. or (1)(b), F.S., incurred by students for studies leading to a medical degree, nursing degree, medical licensure, nursing licensure, advanced practice registered nurse licensure, or physician assistant licensure. Loans whose proceeds were used for any educational expenses that did not directly lead to these degrees or licenses are not qualified loans. Loans from an individual or entity that does not meet the definition of lender are not qualified loans.

(7) “State fiscal year” means the period of time from July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next calendar year.

(8) “Underserved location” means one of the following in Florida:

(a) A public health program,

(b) A correctional facility,

(c) A HPSA as designated by HRSA in a primary care discipline,

(d) A rural area as identified by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy,

(e) A rural hospital as defined in Section 395.602(2)(b) F.S.,

(f) A state hospital, or

(g) Other state institutions that employ medical personnel.

(9) “Direct patient care hours” means in-person, face-to-face care with live patients. Hours spent providing telemedicine services, performing research, conducting administrative duties, or traveling are not direct patient care hours.

(10) “U.S.-based lender” means any financial institution headquartered within the United States. Financial institutions headquartered outside of the U.S., even if they have branches in the U.S., are not U.S.-based lenders.

(11) “FRAME” means the Medical Education Reimbursement and Loan Repayment Program established pursuant to section 1009.65, F.S.

(12) This rule will be reviewed and repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.

Rulemaking Authority 1009.65 FS. Law Implemented 1009.65 FS. History–New 4-20-23, Amended 2-15-24