RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 April 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080002840 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. Director Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Chairperson Member Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that she receive Non-Physician Board Certification Pay (NPBCP) for the period 21 July 2005 to 20 February 2006. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that her board certification pay should have started on 21 July 2005. 3. The applicant provides a DA Form 2142 (Pay Inquiry), dated 25 January 2008; documentation pertaining to her board certification; DA Forms 5440A (Approval of Clinical Privileges/Staff Appointment), dated 21 July 2005 and 23 June 2006; and numerous Leave and Earning Statements. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant was commissioned as a Reserve officer on 11 May 1995 and she was promoted to major effective 1 September 2005. She is currently on active duty in the Army Nurse Corps assigned to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. 2. The applicant provided documentation which shows she is board certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives in Nurse-Midwife. The period of certification is effective 3 June 2005 to 31 December 2013. 3. In the processing of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Special Pay Branch of the Office of The Surgeon General. That office supports the applicant’s request for NPBCP based on current policy and procedures. The advisory opinion points out that a review of the applicant’s military pay account indicates that the AMEDD Special Pay Branch started the applicant’s NCBCP upon receipt of data effective 21 February 2006, with an expiration of 31 December 2013. The applicant did not receive NPBCP for the period 21 July 2005 to 20 February 2006. The Chief, AMEDD Special Pay Branch recommends that the applicant receive NPBCP in arrears for the period 21 July 2005 to 20 February 2006, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance MS-Pay-Date of 21 May 2005, for the correct pay rate level. 4. On 11 March 2008, the advisory opinion was furnished to the applicant for comment. The applicant did not respond within the given timeframe. 5. The Office of The Surgeon General of the Army (OTSG) has published policies and procedures for entitlement to board certification pay for non-physician health care providers, known as NPBCP. This pay is authorized for personnel who are not physicians but who are care givers such as psychologists, dieticians, physical and occupational therapists, podiatrists and nurse practitioners. The annual rate of pay ranges from $2000 for 10 to 12 years of service to $5000 for over 18 years of service as a health professional. The authority to grant award of NPBCP to nurse practitioners is based on completion of a post Baccalaureate Degree, proof of board certification and evidence of a privilege to practice. The OTSG policies and procedures require that NPBCP cannot be awarded prior to the date the individual received privilege to practice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The advisory opinion furnished by the Chief, AMEDD Special Pay Branch indicates that the applicant did not receive NPBCP for the period 21 July 2005 to 20 June 2006. The Chief, AMEDD Special Pay Branch recommends that the applicant receive NPBCP in arrears for this period, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance MS-Pay-Date of 21 May 2005, for the correct pay rate level. Based on the foregoing, the applicant is eligible to receive NPBCP for the period 21 July 2005 to 20 February 2006, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance MS-Pay-Date of 21 May 2005, for the correct pay rate level. BOARD VOTE: _____x __x____ __x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing that she applied for NCBCP to be effective 21 July 2005; that her request was approved in a timely manner; and that she be paid NCBCP for the period 21 July 2005 through 20 February 2006, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance MS-Pay-Date of 21 May 2005, for the correct pay rate level, as a result of this correction. __ x________ CHAIRPERSON ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080002840 4 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET, 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508