As it has so eloquently been said in the past, the only power that you have in military medicine is the power to walk away at the end of your ADSO. Changes in the bonus structure as described in this thread would only increase the <10% physician retention rate but I guess this is what big army is going for (so as to pay fewer pensions). Unless, of course, another full scale war breaks out. Then they are f$&@ed. I'll have my popcorn and Lazy-boy ready when this happens, because it will happen - just a matter of time.
Our pay is one of the most important things, and I'm really surprised that there is so little information out there about the upcoming changes.
I went to AMDOC this past Feb and we had a brief by Bill Marin, director of special pays at BUMED. Here's a summary of some of the changes...
NDAA of 2008 authorized the change from the current special pays (ASP, VSP, ISP, BCP, MSP) to three consolidated pays: incentive, retention, BCP. The original plan was to implement for DC/NC in FY17 (this October) and MC/MSC in FY18 (Oct 2017). However, now it looks like they will be starting THIS October, at least with our ISP, which will start being paid monthly.
Consolidated special pays:
-Incentive Pay (IP) = VSP, ASP, ISP. Incentive pay will no longer have longevity increases/decreases. Currently VSP will go up then down as BCP goes up. The new plan will have IP stay constant. Mr. Marin did not give the planned rates for IP. IP will be on a one-year contract basis. Payback concurrent with training obligation. Can take IP with RB. Paid monthly. Shows up on LES as "Saved Pay". Must be licensed, privileged, and practicing on active duty.
-Retention Bonus (RB) = MSP. The biggest change is that MSP (RB) contracts can only be signed once completing all training-related service obligations, instead of being eligible at 8 years service starting FY18 (this is a huge change). Will show up on LES as "Nuc Bonus".
-Board Certified Pay (BCP). This will increase to 6k per year for ALL, paid monthly. Will show up on LES as "Saved Pay". The goal was to incentivize board certification.
At the time of the briefing, the new consolidated pay rates were not yet set (except for BCP). He gave one example of a notional IP for FP: 43k per year regardless of years of service. If you compare this to current rates, you get 20k for ISP, 15k for ASP, and 8k for VSP. The 8k per year VSP (666.66/mo) is the 18-22 years of service rate, which is the same as the new proposed VSP rate (500/mo).
So...my analysis...if you're not board certified, you will make less with the consolidated pay plan. If you still have a very long service obligation because of ROTC or Academy before HPSP/USUSH, you will not be eligible for MSP/retention bonus pay until all your obligation is due.
Another note, I am graduating residency and just signed for my ASP. Rate is still 15k. ISP this year will be paid monthly at same rate.
PM me if you want his powerpoint presentation.
IHTFP.