Description
MU Health Care’s Recruit & Retain Programs provide financial incentives to employees working in designated high-need and hard-to-fill roles. These programs are designed to support workforce stability, recognize continued service, and encourage long-term retention in roles critical to patient care and operations.
This article outlines the available Recruit & Retain options, explains eligibility and enrollment requirements, and describes how and when payments are issued.
Program Overview
Recruit & Retain Programs are retention-based incentives, not sign-on bonuses. Payments are issued only while eligibility requirements are met and stop if eligibility ends. No repayment is required.
Employees may enroll in one Recruit & Retain program at a time, based on role eligibility and personal preference.
Available Program Options
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
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Up to $10,000 toward eligible student loans
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Monthly payments (approximately $167 per month)
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Available for Target Positions
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Payments continue while eligibility and enrollment are maintained
This option is best for employees prioritizing student loan reduction.
Retention Reward Program (RRP)
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$2,000 paid annually, up to $10,000 over five (5) years
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Payments issued at annual enrollment anniversaries
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Available for most Target Positions
Enhanced Retention Reward Program (ERRP)
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Available only in select High-Target Units
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$10,000 total over two (2) years
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Payments are issued based on enrollment date:
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6 months: $5,000
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12 months: $3,000
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24 months: $2,000
Not all units or roles are eligible for ERRP. Eligibility is determined based on organizational workforce needs.
Eligibility Requirements
You may be eligible to enroll if you:
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Are benefit-eligible
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Maintain an appointment of 0.75 FTE or greater
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Are actively working in a Target or High-Target role
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Have received all payments from any prior sign-on incentive
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Are not enrolled in another Recruit & Retain program
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Are not working under a scholarship payback obligation (typically three years)
Eligibility lists are reviewed quarterly by Human Resources.
Enrollment and Ongoing Eligibility
Once you successfully enroll:
If your role later becomes non-eligible, enrollment may continue for the remainder of the program period, provided eligibility requirements are met.
Leaves of Absence
Recruit & Retain and Sign-On Incentives
Recruit & Retain Programs do not run concurrently with sign-on incentives.
Eligibility for sign-on incentives varies by role and individual circumstances. Not all employees in eligible roles receive sign-on incentives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a sign-on bonus or a contract?
No. Recruit & Retain programs are not sign-on bonuses and do not require a contract or repayment.
Q: Do I have to repay anything if I leave my role or the organization?
No repayment is required. Payments simply stop if eligibility ends.
Q: When are payments issued?
Payment timing depends on the program selected and is based on your enrollment date, not your hire date. Payments typically process within 2 pay cycles of your enrollment anniversary.
Q: Can I switch programs after enrolling?
No. Employees may enroll in one Recruit & Retain program at a time and must complete or exit the current program before enrolling in another.
Q: What if I don’t receive an expected payment?
If a scheduled payment is missed and you believe you met eligibility requirements, submit an AskHR ticket for review.
How to Enroll
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Confirm your role’s eligibility with your leadership team
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Select the program that best aligns with your goals
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Submit the Recruit & Retain Program Application
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For Student Loan Repayment, complete additional enrollment through Tuition.IO
Final Note
Recruit & Retain Programs reflect MU Health Care’s continued investment in employees serving in critical roles. These programs are designed to support long-term retention, recognize sustained contributions, and strengthen workforce stability across the organization.
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