IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 July 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230000710 APPLICANT REQUESTS: corrected effective date of my HPO IP contract and back pay to cover the time period prior to the new fiscal year (15 Sep 2022-01 Oct 2022) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * American Board of Internal Medicine letter, 11 October 2022 FACTS: 1. The applicant states in pertinent part that the effective date of her HPO IP contract currently reflects 1 October 2022. However, she contests that she has been credentialled, privileged and practicing as a 61F (Internist) at Tripler Army Medical Center since 15 September 2022. Therefore, her HPO IP contract should reflect entitlement to HPO IP effective 15 September 2022. She notes that her HPO IP was processed in the new fiscal year thereby precluding her from being paid prior to that period. This change would permit entitlement to back pay of HPO IP during the period of 15 September 2022 – 1 October 2022. 2. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 8 September 2015, the applicant was appointed a Reserve commission. b. On 16 April 2019, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command issued Orders Number A-04-900533 ordering the applicant to active duty with a report date of 2 June 2019. c. On or about 4 May 2019, the applicant's Doctor of Medicine degree was conferred. d. On 3 June 2019, the applicant was appointed a Regular Army commission within the Medical Corps. e. On or about 5 June 2019, the applicant initiated her internal medicine internship at Brooke Army Medical Center. f. On or about 1 July 2020, the applicant initiated her internal medicine residency. g. On or about 19 July 2022, the applicant was reassigned to Tripler Army Medical Center to serve as a 61F. h. On 15 September 2022, the applicant was granted her privileges as 61F at Tripler Army Medical Center. 3. The applicant provides an American Board of Internal Medicine letter, dated 11 October 2022, reflective of a verification of the applicant's status as an Internal Medicine physician by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 4. The applicant did not submit nor does review of her available service records reflect an HPO IP contract. 5. On 13 March 2023, the Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General, Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch, provided an advisory opinion noting that the applicant was eligible to receive the HPO IP on 15 September 2022, but finance records indicate that 1 October 2022 is her effective date. The applicant received $8,000.00 per year as a resident from 15 – 30 September 2022 ($333.33). The applicant is eligible to receive $43,000.00 per year (prorated annually) = $3,583.33 per month for the same time frame (15 – 30 September 2022) = $1,791.65. Therefore, the total amount that she is eligible to receive is the difference of the two amounts i.e., $1,458.33. The exact arrears will be determined by the Defense Finance Accounting Service. 6. On 26 April 2023, the applicant was provided with a copy of the advisory opinion and afforded 15 days to provide comments. As of 29 June 2023, the applicant has not responded. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that partial 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 the Board concurred with the advisory opinion finding the applicant was eligible to receive the HPO IP on 15 September 2022, but finance records indicate that 1 October 2022 is her effective date. The applicant received $8,000.00 per year as a resident from 15 – 30 September 2022 ($333.33). 2. The Board determined, based on the advisory opine, the applicant is eligible to receive $43,000.00 per year (prorated annually) = $3,583.33 per month for the same time frame (15 – 30 September 2022) = $1,791.65. Therefore, the total amount that she is eligible to receive is the difference of the two amounts i.e., $1,458.33. The exact arrears will be determined by the Defense Finance Accounting Service. Therefore, the Board granted partial relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF :X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION ? BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the applicant is eligible to receive is the difference of the two amounts i.e., $1,458.33. The exact arrears will be determined by the Defense Finance Accounting Service. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to a corrected effective date of my HPO IP contract and back pay to cover the time period prior to the new fiscal year (15 Sep 2022-01 Oct 2022). 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. Internal Medicine Physician are entitled to HPO IP at a rate of $43,000.00 (annually) prorated monthly. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230000710 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1