Rural Physician Incentive Program

Learn about the Rural Physician Incentive Program in Saskatchewan, offering up to $200,000 for eligible physicians practicing in select communities.

Incentive Overview

The Rural Physician Incentive Program supports family physicians practising or returning to practice in eligible rural and remote communities in Saskatchewan. Eligible physicians may receive up to $200,000 over five years.

Program Conditions

• Physicians must apply each year and meet all criteria to receive the incentive.
• Payments are issued after each completed year of service.
• The incentive may only be received once in a lifetime.
• Program criteria may change at any time.

Eligibility Conditions

• Eligibility is assessed annually.
• To remain eligible, physicians must remain in eligible communities for five consecutive years.
• Eligibility in one year does not guarantee eligibility in future years.
• Physicians who have previously received the RPIP with a practice start date prior to April 1, 2018 do not qualify.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the incentive, family physician applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• be new to rural or remote practice in Saskatchewan, with a rural or remote practice start date of April 1, 2018 or later. This may include family physicians who are/have:
  • new to practice
  • moving from larger (ineligible) communities
  • moving from other provinces and countries
  • been assessed through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program
• hold an active licence with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS).
• practise in eligible rural and remote communities in Saskatchewan.
  • Ineligible locations include:
    • Regina and Saskatoon
    • Nearby communities, including:
      • Balgonie, Emerald Park, Langham, Lumsden, Martensville, Pilot Butte, Warman and White City
    • Communities with regional hospitals, including:
      • Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current and Yorkton
• telemedicine or virtual care provided from an ineligible community is not eligible for the incentive
• provide service in at least 10 of the previous 12 months of each service year, with a minimum of 100 days of service provided annually

Incentive Amount

Eligible physicians qualify for up to $200,000 over five years.

Payment Schedule

• Year 1 – up to $15,000 after 12 months of practice
• Year 2 – up to $15,000 after 24 months of practice
• Year 3 – up to $20,000 after 36 months of practice
• Year 4 – up to $75,000 after 48 months of practice
• Year 5 – up to $75,000 after 60 months of practice

How do I apply?

Click here to apply.

Adjudication

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) administers the program under the following considerations:

• The incentive period begins on the date the physician starts full-time practice in an eligible community.
• Applications are adjudicated after 12 months of service have been completed (adjusted for any approved leaves).
• The eligibility date for each year of the RPIP may be adjusted if the physician takes an approved leave from practice during the year (e.g., parental, health or training leaves).
  • Other leaves resulting in a gap in practice are adjudicated on an individual basis by the SHA and the Ministry of Health.
• The incentive may be pro-rated based on part-time practice over a 12-month period.
• Physicians providing visiting or locum services will receive pro-rated payments based on time worked in an eligible rural or remote community, as reported by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Northern Medical Services and/or Saskatchewan Medical Association.
  • E.g., If the physician works half-time during their first 12 months of practice, the incentive would be $15,000 x 0.5 = $7,500 for that first year.
• Physicians must complete the full 12-month service period to receive payment and must provide service in at least 10 of the 12 months.
• Payments are issued at the end of each completed service year if all eligibility criteria are met.

Questions?

For more information, contact:
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Provincial Practitioner Staff Affairs
physicianincentives@saskhealthauthority.ca