Funding issues in changing from a 3 year program to a longer program

[SRR]

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Could someone clarify for me the funding issues associated with changing from a 3 year program such as family practice to let's say a 4 year psychiatry program after the R1 year.

I have heard of residents doing this, but I'd like to know the details from someone who knows for sure what it entails ie. are there definite roadblocks in funding because of the original program being 3 years.

Thanks!

 

[Celiac Plexus]

It is my understanding that you are guaranteed only the amount of funding to pay for your training in the program that you are currently in.

If you are in a 3 year IM program then switch to a 4 year psych program, your new department will have to come up with the funds to pay for the 1 year of difference.

However, there must be a way around this since people DO switch in to longer programs and I have NEVER heard of a resident not getting paid for the unguaranteed year. That being said, you can imagine that it is a LOT more convenient for a PD to arrange for someone to join the program that has the same or more years of funding for training. For example, if you were to go from a 6 year surgery slot to a 4 year psych spot, it would be more convenient.

The best thing to do is ask the PD of any program that has accepted changes like this and see what they say.

 

[Apollyon]

There isn't a way around it - if the program wants you, they eat the cost.

However, if I recall, after your initial residency period is up, the program is reimbursed at 0.5 FTE's (Full-Time Equivalents), or half the money - still enough to pay your salary.

 

[nychick]

This AAMC brochure entitled "Medicare Payments for Graduate Medical Education: What Every Medical Student, Resident, and Advisor Needs to Know" helped me understand how this works. It also explains the implications of a switch. I can't find it on the AAMC site anymore though, and when I tried to attach it to my message, it didn't work (maybe its too big, I don't know).