IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 July 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230000598 APPLICANT REQUESTS: back payment of Health Professions Officer (HPO) Incentive Pay (IP) from 12 February 2022 – 10 June 2022. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: • DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) • Proficiency Requirements for the U.S. Army Dental Corps 9F Medical Proficiency Designator, 11 February 2022 • Memorandum – Subject: Request for Health Professions Officer (HPO IP), 1 June 2022 FACTS: 1. The applicant states in pertinent part that he should have received HPO IP at an increased rate from around 12 February 2022 through 10 June 2022. He notes that he completed the Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) requirements and therefore should have been entitled to an additional amount of HPO IP. His entitlement to HPO IP at the increased rate did begin on or about 10 June 2022, however it should have been initiated on 12 February 2022. 2. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 17 December 2012, the applicant was appointed a Reserve commission. b. On 15 May 2017, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command issued Orders Number A-05-700778 ordering the applicant to active-duty, effective 10 June 2017. c. On 10 June 2017, the applicant was appointed a Regular Army commission within the Dental Corps and subsequently began a 1-year dental residency at Fort Jackson, SC. d. On 23 August 2017, the applicant requested and was subsequently approved for HPO IP as a 63A (General Dentist) at a rate of $20,000.00 annually (prorated monthly). e. On or about 3 August 2018, the applicant was reassigned to Camp Humphreys, Korea, to serve as a 63A. f. On or about 6 September 2018, the applicant began his ACP in General Dentistry. g. On or about 4 December 2020, the applicant was reassigned to Hohenfels, Germany, to serve as a 63A. h. On or about 11 February 2022, the applicant completed his ACP in General Dentistry. i. On 1 June 2022, the applicant requested and was subsequently approved for HPO IP as a 63A at a rate of $25,000.00 annually (prorated monthly). 3. The applicant provides a Proficiency Requirements for the U.S. Army Dental Corps 9F Medical Proficiency Designator, dated 11 February 2022, reflective of the commander's endorsement certifying the applicant's core clinical privileges as an Army dental officer. The commander further supported the applicant being awarded the 9F (Completion of the ACP) Medical Proficiency designator. 4. On 27 March 2023, the Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General, Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch, provided an advisory opinion that states: a. Officer requests the Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay (HPO IP) at the rate of $59,000 and the effective date be amended to reflect 20220212, the date credentials were obtained (Advanced Clinical Practice Certificate). b. A review of supporting documentation, policy, special pay, and finance data indicates that despite eligibility on 20220212, the Officer did not initiate an agreement until 20220609. The Officer was eligible to receive $25,000/yr., prorated $2,083.33/month. Officer was receiving $20,000/yr., prorated $1,666.66/month. Officer is eligible to receive the difference (Officer is eligible to receive $8,124.95 for 20220212-20220608; Officer received $6,499.97 for the same period; $8,124.96-$6,499.97 = $1,624.98). The exact arrears payment is determined by DFAS-IN. c. In accordance with AR 37-104-4, Military Pay and Allowances Policy, 8 June 2005, Chapter 20 - Settlement Actions Resulting from Correction of Records by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR); only the Director, DFAS–IN may make settlement actions affecting the military pay accounts of soldiers because of correction of records by the ABCMR per provisions of AR 15-185. Therefore, any ABCMR relief granted should be addressed for action to the Corrections-Claims Section, DFAS–IN. 5. On 31 March 2023, the applicant was provided with a copy of the advisory opinion and afforded 15 days to provide comments. As of 28 June 2023, the applicant has not responded. 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 applicant's contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The applicant is requesting the Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay (HPO IP) at the rate of $59,000 and the effective date be amended to reflect 20220212, the date credentials were obtained (Advanced Clinical Practice Certificate). The Board reviewed and was persuaded by the OTSG advisory official’s finding that despite eligibility on 20220212, the applicant did not initiate an agreement until 20220609. The applicant was eligible to receive $25,000/year, prorated $2,083.33/month. The applicant was receiving $20,000/year, prorated $1,666.66/month. The applicant is eligible to receive the difference (he is eligible to receive $8,124.95 for 20220212-20220608; he received $6,499.97 for the same period; $8,124.96-$6,499.97 = $1,624.98). The exact arrears payment is determined by DFAS-IN. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 xx: xx: xx: 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 entered an HPO IP agreement on 12 February 2022 • entitlement to Health Professions Officer Incentive Pay effective 12 February 2022 through 8 June 2022 • paying the applicant any monies that may be due as a result of this correction using the applicable rate, less any monies already received. 7/11/2023 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. REFERENCE: Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A (Health Professions Special (HPS) and Incentive Pay (IP) Plan) provides that subject to acceptance by the Secretary of the Army, a Health Professions Officer (HPO) who is eligible for and not in an existing Retention Bonus agreement, and who is no longer obligated pursuant to a previous IP agreement, may enter into a new 1-year IP agreement at the rate in the HPS&IP plan. IP agreements must be for at least 1 year. General Dentist with ACP are entitled to HPO IP at a rate of $25,000.00 (annually) prorated monthly. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//