POST 9-11 G.I. BILL

The experience you earn on active duty in the Army Reserve could pay big educational benefits for you and your family down the road under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Current and previously activated Reserve members with more than 90 days of continuous service since September 10, 2001 are now eligible for these valuable benefits.

Plus, if you have at least six years in the Armed Forces, you may be able to transfer these benefits to your spouse. With 10 years in the Armed Forces, you can transfer your G.I. Bill benefits to any dependent.

Click here to learn more about the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP)
If you are currently enrolled in an accredited residency program in a designated critical wartime specialty, you may qualify for the upgraded monthly stipend of $2,060, which is in indexed annually for inflation. STRAP requires that you commit to one year of Army Reserve service for every six months, or any portion thereof, that you accept the stipend.

Health Professional Loan Repayment (HPLR)
This program provides up to $250,000 for repayment of educational loans for physicians in certain critical wartime specialties. Payments are made in yearly increments of $40,000. One year of service in the Army Reserve is required for every year of loan repayment you take.

Payments are made on the physician’s behalf directly to the U.S. schools or financial institutions that provided the loans. Loans cannot be in default and must be more than one year old. Specialties which are eligible to receive HPLR are determined annually.

Battle Assembly Pay/Annual Training Pay
When you serve in the Army Reserve, you’ll earn Battle Assembly Pay. During your residency program, you can be compensated for up to 16 hours of overtime per month. Overtime hours are hours worked over 40 per week and are considered training time by the Army Reserve Medical Corps.

Once you complete your residency program, you’ll continue to earn Battle Assembly Pay, which is money you earn while training on weekends. You’ll also receive Annual Training Pay, which is compensation for your two weeks of training in the summer. You’ll be paid on an hourly basis and your wages will increase as you climb in rank and years of experience.

PRESTIGE
Providing top-notch medical care to a Soldier and his or her family is honorable. You serve our country well when you use your healing skills in this way. Our Soldiers need your expertise – sometimes to heal their bodies, but always to maintain their physical and mental strength so as to continue to serve our great nation. The rewards of doing so for you, the physician, will be lifelong and immeasurable.

In addition to providing your medical expertise, as a Commissioned Officer you’ll also receive training that will give you the skills to inspire and encourage others. You’ll become a manager, problem-solver, key influencer, and planner. The impact you’ll have on those in your care will be profound. That’s why we’re so selective of the Physicians we choose for the Army Reserve. They are able to embrace and embody the Core Army Values and apply them to every decision they make and every action they take.

As a Physician in the Army Reserve Medical Corps, you’ll enjoy generous privileges. You’ll be commissioned as a Captain or above, depending on your years of education and experience. You’ll have access to various incentive programs and base facilities such as the Post Exchange, fitness facilities, recreational facilities, some commercial discounts, options for medical and dental insurance, and more. You may also continue to specialize and serve in the Medical Corps at ever-increasing levels of leadership and responsibility. Options to advance your career as a practicing physician include:

• Commanding and controlling part of a Field Hospital, Combat Support Hospital, Augmentation Hospital or specialized medical detachment.
• Developing doctrine, organizations, and equipment for unique health care missions.
• Serving as a Medical or Health Care advisor to other entities.

HEALTH BENEFITS
TRICARE provides comprehensive health care coverage to military personnel and their families. Under this program, you’ll have access to low cost medical and dental insurance. To participate in this program, you must choose one of the three following plans:

TRICARE Standard
Under this plan, you can use any civilian health care provider that is payable under TRICARE regulations. You’ll be responsible for paying an annual deductible, coinsurance, and may be responsible for other possible expenses. There is no enrollment fee for this plan.

TRICARE Extra
This is a preferred provider organization (PPO) type of plan. Under this plan, you can use any civilian health care provider within the regional contractor’s provider network. Other than the coinsurance payment, there are no additional fees for using this plan. This payment is reduced by at least 5% under the plan.

TRICARE Reserve Select
This is a premium-based health plan that offers coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and Extra. Under this plan, you’ll have the freedom to manage your own health care since you are not assigned a primary care manager. By paying a monthly premium, you’ll have access to comprehensive health care coverage (including TRICARE’s prescription drug coverage) and will be able to visit any TRICARE-authorized provider in the country or, if located overseas, any qualified host nation provider. No referrals are required under this plan, but some care may require prior authorization. Those who qualify for and purchase this plan will also pay fewer out-of-pocket expenses when choosing a provider in the TRICARE network.

TRICARE Prime
This is a health maintenance organization (HMO) type of plan. Under this plan, you must choose a primary care physician and obtain referrals and authorizations for specialty care. Co-payments will be small for each visit and there is an annual enrollment fee for military retirees and their families. There is no fee, however, for active duty military members and their families.

U.S. Family Health Plan
Some Army Reserve members are also able to take advantage of this plan. This TRICARE Prime-sponsored health care option is made available by nonprofit health care providers in several regions throughout the United States. Regions include: the Northeast, Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana, and the Puget Sound region of Washington State.