Commissioned Corps BulletinNovember 20, 2018

2019 Changes to HPSP

The Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR) will continue to send messages about the new 2019 Health Professions Special Pays (HPSP) over the next few months. Below is a list of the major changes in the new 2019 HPSP policy, Commissioned Corps Instruction 633.01 (CCI 633.01), signed by ADM Brett P. Giroir, Assistant Secretary for Health, on November 16, 2018. These changes are effective January 1, 2019.

Major changes in the 2019 HPSP Policy (effective January 1, 2019):

• A new 2019 Incentive Pay (IP) agreement is required for all eligible officers, with the exception of:
  • Officers without a rate change (only the Pharmacy category in 2019).
  • Officers with 28 or more years of service toward retirement who cannot enter into a two-year service commitment for a new Retention Bonus (RB).
• An annual IP agreement is not required after the 2019 agreement, with specific exceptions outlined in CCI 633.01 Section 6-5b.
• A new 2019 Board Certified Incentive Pay (BCIP) agreement is not required if you have a 2018 agreement agreement in place, unless , unless your eligibility or certification lapses at any time.
• All HPSP agreements may be digitally signed and submitted electronically. Additional guidance will be provided regarding submission.
• The Policy outlines the clinical requirements for IP and RB, respectively. Additional guidance will be provided.
• The policy adds that an IP and BCIP may be terminated by a HPSP Review Board, Involuntary Termination Board (ITB), Board of Inquiry (BOI) or an Involuntary Retirement Board (IRB).
• An officer is at risk of losing IP and BCIP if he/she does not meet the conditions of service for any period of time.
• The policy excludes most Civil Service-to-Commissioned Corps conversions from receiving an accession bonus.

The 2019 HPSP Policy also Clarifies:

• Clarifies that an officer who is undergoing a Fitness for Duty (FFD) determination may not enter an HPSP agreement. However, such an individual shall continue receiving all previously approved HPSPs.
• Outlines how an officer’s eligibility for HPSP is determined for an officer in a non-duty status (i.e., excessive sick leave and non-duty with pay).
• Clarifies that a bonus agreement may only be terminated upon an officer’s separation from active duty or through a hearing process by an ITB or BOI.

Payment of HPSP

• IP agreements initiated and effective January 28, 2018, were paid in 12 monthly installments. The last installment, which is effective on December 28, 2018, will be reflected in the December pay (the January 1, 2019 paycheck). This payment is the last payment under the 2018 policy and includes 30 days forward – through January 27, 2019.
• The 2019 IP will be paid monthly on a pro-rated daily basis at the end of the month (i.e. payment for April on May 1). The 2018 payments were paid for the month in advance (i.e. payment March 1 for February 28 through March 27).
• There are new pay tables for 2019. The new tables are available in CCI 633.01 and on the HPSP webpage.
• NEW 2019 AGREEMENT FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 3, 2018. Do not use previous versions when completing your 2019 HPSP application. The new forms will be posted on the HPSP webpage.

For more information, please view the HPSP webpage on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System (CCMIS). If you have additional questions, please email the Commissioned Corps Help Desk at CCHelpDesk@hhs.gov.