(Jan. 9, 2025) – Applications are now being accepted for the final allocation of new residency positions created under Sec. 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Applications are due March 31, 2026, via MEARIS.
Sec. 126 of the CAA, 2021, created 1,000 new Medicare-funded residency slots to be distributed over five years beginning in fiscal year 2023. To date, four rounds of slots have been distributed, totaling 800 residency slots. Qualifying hospitals include:
1. Hospitals in rural areas (or treated as being located in a rural area under the law);
2. Hospitals training a number of residents that exceed 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.
A hospital cannot receive more than 5.00 full-time employees per application round. Hospitals that received slots in the last round of awards can be found here.
Members are encouraged to apply for slots and can find more information on how to apply for positions under Sec. 126 here.
--Jaron Caffrey