RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00584 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His debt of $364.37 due to a dental care allotment be waived.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The allotment was issued on his behalf but he was not afforded the opportunity to accept or decline the allotment. He is currently unemployed and would like the debt waived or corrected.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The  applicant  initially  entered  the  Regular  Air  Force  on
20 Jan 87.
On 26 Mar 14, the applicant was furnished a dishonorable discharge, and was credited with 25 years, 2 months, and 6 days of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIZ recommends the Defense Health Agency (DHA) review the applicant’s request for dental premium reimbursement. The TRICARE Active Duty Dental Plan is administered by the DHA. The program enrollment function is administered by an authorized TRICARE contractor, United Concordia Companies, Inc. (UCCI). Upon enrollment,  dental premium payments are deducted from military members active duty pay with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Indianapolis (DAFAS-IN). Should a member not be in receipt of active duty pay, DAFAS-IN establishes a debt.

The alleged error or injustice discovered by the applicant is not associated to his eligibility status in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System  (DEERS).  Member’s status in DEERS reflected active duty with a condition of “Prisoner.”

Active duty members placed in confinement or appellate leave status, DEERS reflects the condition of “Prisoner/Appellate leave.” This condition does not affect a person’s eligibility to medical or dental care benefits, or denial of access to such benefits according to AFI 36-3026, Identification Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Eligible Family Members, and other Eligible Personnel.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIZ evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air  Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 Jun 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1.	The	applicant	has	not	exhausted	all	remedies	provided	by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Insufficient	relevant	evidence	has	been	presented	to	
demonstrate	the	existence	of	error	or	injustice.	In	this	
respect, we note this Board is the highest administrative level of appeal within the Air Force. As such, an applicant must first exhaust all available avenues of administrative relief provided by existing law or regulations prior to seeking relief before this Board, as required by the governing Air Force Instruction. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has reviewed this application and indicated there is an available avenue of administrative relief the applicant has not first pursued. The applicant should have applied to the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for relief on the issue prior to applying to the AFBCMR. In view of this, we find this application is not ripe for adjudication at this level as there exists a subordinate level of appeal that has not first been depleted. Therefore, in view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that all available avenues of administrative relief have not been exhausted; and the application will only be reconsidered upon submission of documentary evidence indicating that said avenues of administrative relief have been exhausted.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00584 in Executive Session on 15 Sep 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00584 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 14 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIZ, dated 23 Apr 15. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jun 15.