The Bonded Medical Program has reopened almost a year after being paused as a result of issues with doctors’ contracts.

Reformed in 2020, the scheme has been under a cloud because of legal holes in the paperwork signed by those participants who switched over from legacy programs.

The main issue related to discrepancies between the requirement under federal law to complete rural return of service within 18 years of graduation and a clause in the new contracts that said the 18 years could begin when they signed.

As a result, an estimated 1500 doctors were warned by the Department of Health they could be denied a Medicare provider number for failing to meet their obligations.