IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 July 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230001350 APPLICANT REQUESTS: entitlement to Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPO BCP) for the period beginning 13 July 2020 to 30 September 2022. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * American Board of Family Medicine Diplomate * Public Health License Unit Certification of Licensure * American Board of Family Medicine, Inc. Board Certificate FACTS: 1. The applicant states, in pertinent part, he did not receive the HPO BCP special pay from 13 July 2020 to 30 September 2022 in the amount of $6,000.00 per year. When he became eligible for this special pay, the finance office provided him with a contract that did not include this special pay as it should have done. He was unaware at the time that he was eligible for this pay. Once he became aware, he communicated directly with the Medical Special Pay technician at the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG), they verified his eligibility, and agreed to pay this bonus beginning 1 October 2022. Additionally, he was instructed to recover all back pay from the Army Review Boards Agency because the OTSG budget does not allow them to cover back pay in previous fiscal years. The total back pay amount is approximately $13,250.00. 2. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 2 January 2013, he signed USAREC Form 1284 (Election or Declination of the Health Professions Scholarship Program Accession Bonus (HPSP AB)) accepting the benefit for his participation in the U.S. Army Medical or Dental Corps HPSP. b. On 23 January 2013, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) issued a Memorandum for Appointment as a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the Army. c. On 6 February 2013: (1) The applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer and executed an oath of office. (2) USAREC Form 1131 (Department of the Army Service Agreement F. Edward Herbert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program) was signed for admission as a full-time student leading to a degree in Osteopathy with 4 years active- duty service upon completion of the degree. d. On 18 November 2015, DA Form 5074-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit (Medical and Dental Officers)) awarded him the rank/grade of captain (CPT)/O-3 for completion of his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy Medicine at Pennsylvania. e. On 11 April 2017, HRC issued the following: (1) Orders Number 417-101-SG11-7, which appointed him to the rank of CPT in the Regular Army Medical Corps. (2) Orders Number A-04-700516 ordering him to active duty with the Student Detachment, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA. f. On 20 July 2018, he was issued the Public Health Licensure Unit Certification of Licensure for Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon. g. The applicant's records are void of a request for HPO BCP for the requested period. h. The applicant remains on active duty. 3. The applicant provides the following: a. American Board of Family Medicine Diplomate reflective of his completion of the certification of all requirements to practice family medicine. b. American Board of Family Medicine, Inc. Board Certificate reflective of his certification number and active status for Family Medicine Certification, effective 13 July 2020. 4. On 10 March 2023, OTSG, Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch, provided an advisory opinion recommending approval of the applicant's request stating, in effect: a. The applicant is requesting retroactive payment for the HPO BCP at $6,000.00 per year, effective 13 July 2013, the date of HPO BCP certification. He claims eligibility, but never received payment. b. A review of the submitted documentation, special pay and finance records indicate that he was eligible to receive the HPO BCP on 13 July 2013 as requested. c. Advisory Opinion: Based on the above discussion, the applicant was eligible to receive the HPO BCP for the requested effective date. He is eligible to receive $6,000.00 per year, prorated at $500.00 per month for the period of 13 July 2020 – 30 September 2022. The applicant is eligible to receive is $13,300.00. The exact arrears payment is calculated by DFAS-IN. 5. On 20 March 2023, the applicant was provided a copy of the advisory opinion and afforded 15 days to provide comments. 6. On 23 March 2023, the applicant responded and concurred with the advisory opinion. 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 the Board concurred with the advisory opinion finding the applicant was eligible to receive the HPO BCP for the requested effective date. He is eligible to receive $6,000.00 per year, prorated at $500.00 per month for the period of 13 July 2020 – 30 September 2022. The applicant is eligible to receive is $13,300.00. The exact arrears payment is calculated by DFAS-IN. ? 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 HPOBCP at $6,000.00/ year, prorated at $500.00 per month for the period of 13 July 2020 – 30 September 2022. The applicant is eligible to receive is $13,300.00. Exact arrears compensation is to be determined by Corrections Claims Section, DFAS–IN. - . 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: Army Active Component HPO Special and Incentive Pay Plan, effective 1 January 2019 states: a. A HPO is any health profession performed by officers who are in the Medical Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Medical Officers; in the Dental Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Dental Officers; in the Medical Service Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Medical Service Officers; in the Medical Specialists Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Medical Specialists; in the Nurse Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Nurses; in the Veterinary Corps of a Uniformed Service or designated as Veterinary officers. b. Credentialed. A qualification held by a HPO constituting evidence of qualifying education, training, licensure, experience, current competence, etc. c. To be eligible for the HPO BCP, an HPO must: * execute a BCP agreement, and have at least one-year retainability on Active Duty beginning on the effective date * be certified by an approved recognized clinical specialty professional board (not a State board) in the clinical specialty/AOC as listed in the pertinent section of Table 2 * the effective date of the HPO BCP agreement is the date the HPO becomes board certified in the clinical specialty/AOC d. HPO BCP is paid on a prorated monthly basis and all Active Component HPOs must execute a written HPO BCP agreement, with a copy of the board certificate. e. HPO BCP is paid at a rate of $6,000.00 per year; prorated monthly. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230001350 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1