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FAQs
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Can I apply to only one institution’s MIDOCs program?Yes. For example, if you are interested in an Internal Medicine residency program at one institution, you should apply to both their general Internal Medicine residency program as well as their MIDOCs Internal Medicine residency program. When it is time to rank programs in NRMP, you can then can rank both programs, if you wish to.
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If I participate in MIDOCs, does it preclude me signing contracts with hospital systems around the end of my first year? For example, If I'm in the MIDOCs program and say Trinity Health offers a contract with a signing bonus. Am I allowed to sign that contract even though I have committed to MIDOCs?"You will have two options here: During your MIDOCs residency, you may sign a contract with an employer if it meets MIDOCs criteria for an underserved area. This will need to be first approved by MIDOCs to ensure it meets criteria. During your MIDOCs residency, you may sign a contract with any employer, as long as the start date of the employment is after you have fulfilled your two-year commitment for MIDOCs in an approved underserved area.
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What documents are required to submit proof of the loan?Based on the type of loan, we will work with you to determine the appropriate satisfactory documentation.
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Can I apply to other loan repayment programs?Yes, but you need to complete your practice requirement for MIDOCs directly after residency and before any other service commitments that may be required of other loan repayment programs.
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Are there specific loans that qualify (vs. non-qualifying loans) relative to the loan repayment bonus?Qualifying loans include, but may not be limited to, loans incurred through US government, commercial and/or school entities for the purpose of undergraduate and graduate education. See a complete description of qualifying and non-qualifying loans at https://www.michigandocs.org/loan-repayment
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Can a resident pursue fellowship training immediately following their time in residency, delaying their service time?"State law prohibits any sub-specialty training for at least 2 years post-residency. There is an exception for child and adolescent psychiatry fellowships but, they must be integrated with a psychiatry residency training program in a MIDOCs affiliated institution.
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Will the salary be competitive or reduced for the two-year commitment in an underserved area?All specifics regarding salary amounts will be a negotiation between you and the potential employer. MIDOCs does not get involved in any conversations regarding employment compensation.
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What if a resident needs to take a leave of absence during the 2-year practice requirement?The dates for completion of the MIDOCs program -- including practice requirement -- are outlined in the Resident Addendum. The resident is bound by those dates “unless mutually agreed upon by all parties.”
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Where will I be able to practice? What areas of Michigan are considered "underserved" and are "eligible" areas for doctors to work in once graduated?"Of Michigan's 83 counties, 75 have at least partial designation as a primary health professional shortage area (HPSA). To determine if a practice site is in an underserved area, use the tools here https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area. Using the HPSA Find tool, you can filter by specialty. MIDOCs uses the HRSA designations to define "underserved" areas. Specific practice sites within those areas will need to be approved (or "qualified") by MIDOCs prior to selecting a location for your service commitment. Read more about Practice Site requirements here https://www.michigandocs.org/service-obligation.
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When will I receive the $75,000 loan repayment?"$5000 upon receipt of a copy of the Resident’s signed contract for their 2-year service in an underserved area $35,000 at the start of the first year of the two-year practice requirement $35,000 upon verified completion of the first-year practice requirement NOTE: Documentation of loans will be required. Qualifying educational loans must have documentation to establish that they were contemporaneous with the education received. Loan documentation will be verified by contacting lenders/holders and possibly reviewing the applicant’s credit report. You must submit loan documentation to MIDOCs prior to, or within 18 months of, completing residency.
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Is the loan reimbursement taxable?Please consult your tax adviser. Generally, loan reimbursement awards received under a State loan repayment or loan forgiveness program that is intended to provide for the increased availability of health care services in underserved or health professional shortage areas are excluded from wages for FICA, FUTA, and federal income tax withholding purposes.
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How do I apply for a MIDOCs residency?MIDOCs residents are selected through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) process which opens each fall. Medical students are invited to interview in November and December, and ranking takes place in January. MIDOCs positions are filled through the Main Residency Match which takes place in March and Resident Contracts are signed by July. All MIDOCs residency programs meet ACGME requirements. Additionally, a candidate must meet criteria of the individual institution and residency program qualifications to be reviewed for possible selection for interview for a MIDOCS residency program position. You may review each individual institution's program here michigandocs.org/residencies.
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