Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP)

Employers must be approved by the program and execute an HWEP Employer Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

• Eligible Employer Types
  • 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: 

• General Requirements
  • 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:
  • Tier 1 Professionals
    • Physicians, Psychiatrists, Dentists, Pharmacists, Psychologists, and Doctors or Nursing Practice.
  • Tier 2 Professionals
    • 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.
  • Tier 3 Professionals
    • 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).
• Service Levels
  • 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.
• Employer worksites.
• 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:

• Account statement
• Loan disbursement showing original loan amount, purpose, and disbursement dates.

Only qualified educational loans are eligible for repayment.