The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a Beneficiary Travel program to reimburse eligible veterans for the costs of traveling to receive medical care. Understanding how much VA travel pay you can receive is crucial for managing your healthcare expenses. This guide provides a detailed overview of VA travel pay, including eligibility, covered expenses, reimbursement rates, and deductibles.
The VA may reimburse you for travel to receive care at VA health facilities or non-VA health facilities when pre-approved (except in certain emergency situations).
Covered Travel Expenses
The VA may cover a variety of travel expenses related to your medical appointments. These expenses include:
- Mileage: Reimbursement for the miles driven to and from your appointment.
- Tolls: Coverage for bridge, road, and tunnel tolls incurred during your travel.
- Parking Fees: Reimbursement for parking costs at the medical facility.
- Transportation Fares: Coverage for taxi, plane, train, subway, bus, ferry, or light rail fares.
- Special Transportation: Reimbursement for transportation by a specially equipped vehicle, such as an ambulance or wheelchair van, when needed and approved.
- Meals and Lodging: In some cases, the VA may also cover the costs of meals and lodging when necessary.
Current Mileage Reimbursement Rate
As of the latest update, the VA reimburses 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile for approved, health-related travel. This rate is subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the official VA website for the most current information.
The VA uses Bing Maps to calculate your mileage, determining the fastest and shortest route from your home to the closest VA or authorized non-VA health facility that can provide the care you need. This calculation is typically “door to door,” covering the entire distance of your trip. Round-trip mileage is typically reimbursed for scheduled appointments, while return mileage may be reimbursed for unscheduled visits.
Understanding the Monthly Deductible
Before receiving reimbursement for your travel expenses, you must meet a monthly deductible. The current deductible is $3 one-way or $6 round-trip for each appointment, with a maximum of $18 per month. Once you’ve paid $18 in deductibles within a month, the VA will cover the full cost of your approved travel for the remainder of that month.
This deductible is mandated by law and helps to fund travel or medical care for other veterans. However, in certain situations, the VA may waive the deductible.
Filing Your Claim Through BTSSS
You can submit your travel pay reimbursement claims through the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS). BTSSS simplifies the reimbursement process, allowing you to easily submit claims and track their status online.
Conclusion
Understanding how much VA travel pay you can expect and how to claim it is vital for managing your healthcare-related costs as a veteran. By familiarizing yourself with the covered expenses, reimbursement rates, and deductible policies, you can ensure that you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. Utilize the BTSSS system for easy claim submission and stay informed about any updates to the VA travel pay program.
