RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00508
		INDEX CODE:  128.05
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for the cost of his dependents dental care in the amount of $1,656.00.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He paid insurance premiums to the Tricare Dental Program (TDP), but reimbursement for care costs were refused after it was realized that he was retired.

In support of his request, applicant provided a personal statement, a letter from United Concordia Companies Inc TDP, a copy of a series of emails, a copy of Patient Transaction Letters, and a letter from United Concordia for Refund for Payment Errors.  Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant retired from the Regular Air Force on 1 March 2001, in the grade of master sergeant.  He continued to pay dental premiums through the direct payment method until April 2002.  His family members went to the dentist several times and UCCI paid a total of $1,656.00 in bills.  The Defense On-Line Enrollment System (DOES) was not updated by the Defense Manpower Data Center and the applicant was carried as eligible.  Once their records were updated to reflect his retired status, the applicant was notified of the error, refunded $288.84, which was the total monthly premium payment he paid and billed him for the dental claims that were incurred.  The date cannot be verified as to when his records flipped from active duty to retired.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

DPSFCR recommends the applicant’s request be denied.  Since there was no systemic flow error committed by the Air Force regarding his service record, and the member was reimbursed for his premiums of $288.84, reimbursement for the remainder of his claim should be denied.  The Board could provide a partial grant by compensating the member for the amount of the dental claim minus the premium reimbursement he already received.  The DPSFCR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 27 Feb 04, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After carefully reviewing the evidence of record, the Board is of the opinion the applicant is entitled to reimbursement for the cost of his dependent's dental care as requested.  The applicant continued to pay the premiums for dental coverage in good faith until the Defense Manpower Data Center updated his retirement status in the Defense On-Line Enrollment System, notified him of the error and refunded his paid premiums of $288.84.  In view of the above and in order to resolve any injustice to the applicant, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was in temporary duty status for a sufficient number of days beginning 2 October 2000, to accumulate an entitlement of $1,367.16.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-00508 in Executive Session on 30 March 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			XXXXXXXXXX, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 6 Feb 04.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, AFPC/DPSFCR, dated 26 Feb 04.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Feb 04.

	
	Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00508

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was in temporary duty status for a sufficient number of days beginning 2 October 2000, to accumulate an entitlement of $1,367.16.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency