Office of Rural Health

SD Physician Tuition Reimbursement Program

This program provides qualifying family physicians a payment in return for three continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community. Practitioners must enter into a contract with the South Dakota Department of Health in order to qualify. The amount of tuition reimbursement for a qualifying physician is equal to double the University of South Dakota School of Medicine's resident tuition for the most recent four-year period. The current amount is approximately $100,000.

To be eligible a physician must:

• Be licensed as a physician in South Dakota
• Have completed a three year allopathic residency or a two year osteopathic residency in family practice
• Agree to practice as a family physician in an eligible community for at least three consecutive years
• Provide services to Medicaid, Medicare and State Children's Health Insurance Program patients

To be eligible a community must:

• Have a population of 10,000 or less
• Be assessed by the Department of Health and determined to both need and be able to sustain a family physician
• Agree to pay a pro-rated portion of the total reimbursement payments
  • Under 2,500 population – 25%
  • 2,500-5,000 – 50%
  • Over 5,000 – 75%

For more information contact the Department of Health, Office of Rural Health, 600 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501; phone 1-800-738-2301 or 605-773-3517.