FRAME Program update: disaster relief volunteer hours
FMA Staff Report
The much-talked about Live Healthy legislative package (SB 7016) made significant changes to the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) Program, including the addition of a new 25-hour volunteer requirement. While details are still being worked out with the Department of Health regarding the exact scope, the statute suggests that the volunteer hours must be completed in the form of providing primary care services through a free clinic or volunteering through a state-operated program.
However, on Oct.14, the Department announced through the FRAMEworks Portal that volunteer hours spent on disaster relief efforts will now also count towards the 25-hour requirement. This includes a broad range of services, such as cleanup, distribution of supplies, provision of healthcare services, food pantry work, etc. This change presents a great opportunity for eligible residents and physicians to complete the required volunteer hours.
As a reminder, $46 million was appropriated for the 2025 FRAME cycle – meaning that almost everyone who meets eligibility requirements and applies will likely receive an award. Awardees can receive up to $150,000 over four years.
Additional resources
- Full eligibility requirements (Florida Statute §381.402, Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education Program)
- Volunteer opportunity information
- Volunteer hours verification form: At this time, it is not mandatory to submit this specific form, as the Department has not finalized rulemaking. However, applicants are required to submit a signed form/letter to the Department attesting that volunteer hours have been completed. The FMA recommends using the Department’s form when possible. If disaster relief hours are submitted, just indicate that on the form since there are only check boxes for a free clinic or state-operated program.
- Disaster-related volunteer opportunities
For more information about eligibility requirements, please read the FRAME Program segment from our 2024 Legislative Report. FMA members who need help navigating these updates or have any other questions regarding the FRAME Program can contact us at (850) 224-6496 or membership@flmedical.org.
If you would like to contact the Department of Health directly, please call (850) 841-8540 email framesupport@flhealth.gov.
SB 7016 changes to the FRAME Program
In response to the overwhelming success of the FRAME Program, the FMA was able to secure and increase the program’s recurring funding from $6 million to $16 million for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. It is especially exciting that this bill includes an additional $30 million – increasing the program’s recurring funding to a total of $46 million. In addition to increased funding, SB 7016 makes several other notable changes to the program.
Eligible healthcare practitioners and specialties
Under current law, only physicians, advanced practice nurse practitioners (APRNs), physician assistants (PAs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are eligible to participate in the FRAME Program. The Legislature expanded the list of eligible licensed or certified healthcare professionals to include mental health workers, such as clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health counselors, and licensed psychologists.
In addition to practicing in an underserved area and accepting Medicaid, physicians must practice in a primary care specialty defined to include obstetrics, gynecology, general and family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and other specialties as determined by the Department of Health. SB 7016 codifies psychiatry and geriatric medicine, previously included through departmental rule, as eligible primary care specialties.
Award
For the first two application cycles of FRAME, eligible physicians could receive up to $20,000 per year for a year of primary care practice in an underserved area. SB 7016 restructures the program to award an eligible practitioner 25% of his or her principal loan balance for each year of service for up to four years. The bill sets a maximum total award amount for eligible practitioners as follows: up to $150,000 for physicians, up to $90,000 for autonomous APRNs practicing autonomously, up to $75,000 for APRNs, PAs, and mental health professionals, and up to $45,000 for LPNs and RNs. The FMA was able to amend the bill to clarify that the four years do not have to be served consecutively.
Volunteer hours
Lastly, SB 7016 adds an annual volunteer requirement of 25 hours. Practitioners can fulfill this volunteer requirement by providing primary care services in a free clinic or through another state-operated volunteer program. The FMA will provide more information on acceptable programs once clarified by the Department.
Due to the substantial restructuring of the program, we anticipate that awardees from the 2023 and 2024 cycles will not be precluded from eligibility for an additional full four years once SB 7016 is implemented. However, this will ultimately be determined by the Department.