Beneficiary Travel Benefits_(feb-08)

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Fact Sheet 16-2

February 2008

Beneficiary Travel Benefits

Benefit Description: If you meet the criteria below, you may be eligible for VA beneficiary

travel benefits associated with obtaining VA health care services. In most cases, travel

benefits are subject to a deductible. Deductibles apply for compensation and do not

pension examinations and for travel by an ambulance or a specially equipped van.

You Qualify If:

1. you have a service-connected (SC) rating of 30 percent or more, or

2. you are traveling for treatment of a SC condition, or

3. you receive a VA pension, or

4. your income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate, or

5. you are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension examination, or

6. you are in an authorized Vocational Rehabilitation Program

You Qualify for Special Mode Transportation (Ambulance, wheelchair van etc.) If:

1. your medical condition requires an ambulance or a specially equipped van, and

2. you meet one of the eligibility criteria in 1 through 4 above, and

3. the travel is pre-authorized (authorization is not required for emergencies if a delay

would be hazardous to life or health)

Note: OEF/OIF Combat Veterans must meet one of the qualifying eligibilities or

conditions noted above.

Mileage Rates:

General Travel .............................................................$ 0.285 (28.5 cents) per mile

Scheduled appointments qualify for round-trip mileage. Unscheduled visits may be

limited to return mileage only.

Deductible: …………………………………………$7.77 one-way ($15.54 round trip)

• Deductible requirement is subject to a monthly cap of $46.62. Upon reaching

$46.62 in deductibles, travel payments made for the balance of that

particular month will be free of deductible charges.

• Veterans whose projected income in the year of application will not exceed

the applicable VA pension rate may request a waiver from the deductible

requirement.

NOTE: Mileage reimbursement claims for travel prior to February 1, 2008 will be

processed at the previous rates of 11 cents per mile for travel in relation to health

care and 17 cents per mile for recalls due to an insufficient lab, EKG, x-ray, etc. in

relation to a Compensation and Pension examination ("Convenience of the

Government") with deductibles of $3 per one-way trip; $6 for a round-trip; with a

maximum of $18 per calendar month.

Supersedes Fact Sheet 16-2, dated April 2007 which will not be used

Source:

http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Librar...ciaryTravel.pdf