The department will execute a written contract with each community
selected concerning use of the state matching funds allocated under
this program. The contract must include, but is not limited to, the
following provisions:
(1) the community has obtained a credit check and information
concerning the participating physician's professional background from
reputable sources, including the National Practitioner Data Bank or
its successor;
(2) the community will retain interest (title or ownership)
in any property, equipment, or durable goods purchased with state
or local matching funds disbursed under this program for a period
of seven years;
(3) the community has executed a contract with an eligible
physician containing at least the following provisions:
(A) the physician shall engage in clinical practice
in the supporting community for at least two years following disbursement
of the state funds;
(B) during the two-year service obligation, the physician
shall not discriminate among patients seeking care based on their
ability to pay or whether payment will be made through Medicaid or
Medicare;
(C) the physician shall complete and submit provider
enrollment applications for Medicare and the Texas Medicaid program,
and shall accept Medicare assignment if enrolled; and
(D) the physician shall set his or her charges at the
prevailing rate for the area and shall utilize a sliding fee scale
based on the client's ability to pay;
(4) the community will make reasonable efforts to locate
the physician's practice at a site readily accessible to a majority
of area residents;
(5) the community will make a good faith effort to
contract with a physician whose practice specialty is appropriate
to serve the primary health care needs of area residents; and
(6) the community will attempt in good faith to replace
a participating physician as quickly as possible after the physician
fails to fulfill his or her two-year practice obligation, but the
community may seek a replacement physician for no more than six months.
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