IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 October 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220001873 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction to the effective date of her Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPO BCP) and Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Army Active Component Health Professions Officer Special Pay and Incentive Pay Plan Effective 1 January 2021 * Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Memorandum: Request for Health Professions Officer (HPO) Incentive Pay (IP), effective 21 September 2021 * AMEDD Memorandum: Request for HPO BCP, effective 1 November 2021 FACTS: 1. The applicant states in effect, the effective date of her HPO BCP was dated for October 2021 and HPO Incentive Pay dated for September 2021 due to paperwork initiated at the 2022 Fiscal Year timeframe. According to the Active Army Component Health Professions Officer Special and Incentive Pay Plan, the effective date for the special pay should reflect the date she received board certification, 21 June 2021. 2. A review of the applicant's available service record reflects the following: a. On 29 August 2010, she was appointed as a Regular Army commissioned officer in the Army Nurse Corps (ANC), executed an oath of office. b. On 21 June 2021, she was certified as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist. c. On 29 June 2021, Orders Number 180-004 issued by Headquarters, Tripler Army Medical Center reassigned her to the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Wainwright, AK with a reporting date of 22 July 2021. d. On 15 July 2021, Orders Number 196-002 issued by Headquarters, Tripler Army Medical Center amended Orders Number 180-004 to reflect the reporting date change from 22 July 2021 to 10 September 2021. e. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Special Pay Memorandum reflects request and approval for HPO IP as a Nurse Anesthetist, effective 21 September 2021. f. AMEDD Special Pay Memorandum reflects request and approval for HPO BCP as a Nurse Anesthetist in the amount of $6,000.00 per year, prorated monthly, effective 1 October 2021. g. The applicant remains on active duty. 3. The applicant provides the Army Active Component Health Professions Officer Special Pay and Incentive Pay Plan, Effective 1 January 2021, reflective of the pay and benefits available to medical officers for 2021. 4. On 9 September 2022, the Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General Chief, AMEDD Special Pay Branch, provided an advisory opinion stating: a. A review of supporting documentation, available personnel, special pay and finance data indicates the applicant was ineligible for the HPOIP effective 26 February 2021. She was not privileged to practice until 21 September 2021, as such that earliest effective date for the HPOIP is 21 September 2021. She was board certified in her clinical specialty on 21 June 2021. As such, the effective date of the incentive is 21 June 2021. b. Per above discussion, the applicant was eligible for the HPO BCP at $6,000.00/year for the period 21 June 2021-30 September 2021. She is authorized approximately $1,666.66. The exact arrears payment will be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. 5. On 12 September 2022, the applicant was provided with a copy of the advisory opinion to provide a response. As of 23 September 2022, she did not respond. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy and regulation. Upon review of the applicant’s petition, available military records, and Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Special Pay Branch at the Office of The Surgeon General advisory opinion, the Board concurred with the advisory opinion finding the applicant was eligible for Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPO BCP) and Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay, effective 21 September 2021. She was board certified in her clinical specialty on 21 June 2021. As such, the effective date of the incentive is 21 June 2021. The Board determined the applicant was eligible for the HPO BCP at $6,000.00/year for the period 21 June 2021-30 September 2021. She is authorized approximately $1,666.66. The exact arrears payment will be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Based on this, the Board granted relief to correct the effective date of the applicant’s Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPO BCP) and Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 the applicant was eligible for the HPO BCP at $6,000.00/year for the period 21 June 2021-30 September 2021. She is authorized approximately $1,666.66. The exact arrears payment will be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. REFERENCES: 1. Title 37 United States Code, section 335 (Special bonus and incentive pay authorities for officers in health professions) states The Secretary concerned may pay incentive pay under this section to an officer in a regular or reserve component of a uniformed service who— a. Is entitled to basic pay under section 204 of this title or compensation under section 206 of this title; and b. Is serving on active duty or in an active status in a designated health profession specialty or skill. 2. Memorandum, Subject: Health Professions Special Pay and Incentive Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2021 states the effective date of the BCP agreement is the latter date of meeting all of the following: a. The date of entry on Active Duty. b. The date the post-baccalaureate degree in the HPO's clinical specialty/Area of Concentration (AOC) is awarded. c. The date the HPO becomes board certified in the clinical specialty/AOC is awarded. d. HPO IP effective date is the latter date of completion of qualifying training and date of privileging as a HCP. e. HPO BCP is paid at a rate of $6,000.00 per year prorated monthly. 3. Army Regulation 37-104-4 (Military Pay and Allowances), states, only the Director, DFAS–IN may make settlement actions affecting the military pay accounts of Soldiers as a result of correction of records by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) per provisions of AR 15–185 (ABCMR). //NOTHING FOLLOWS//