The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded 200 Medicare-funded graduate medical education (GME) physician residency slots to hospitals serving patients in underserved communities.

The GME slots are part of Congress’ year-end omnibus legislation, which will fund 1,000 new Medicare-funded physician residency slots –  phasing in 200 slots per year over five years – to bolster the health care workforce, particularly in primary care and mental health, in areas with the highest need.

Of the 200 GME positions awarded this year, 125 are being allocated for primary care (including obstetrics/gynecology) and 20 are being allocated for psychiatry.

In this round, the following California hospitals received funding:

• Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia (0.92 slots)
• Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton (2 slots)
• Valley Children's Hospital in Madera (2.85 slots)

In order to qualify for Medicare-funded slots, hospitals must fall into at least one of the following categories:

1. Hospitals in rural areas (or treated as being located in a rural area under the law);
2. Hospitals training a number of residents in excess of their GME cap;
3. Hospitals in states with new medical schools or branch campuses; and
4. Hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas.

The application period for the second round of 200 residency positions opened in January 2023 and will close on March 31, 2023. Hospitals interested in applying can learn about the application process here.