Some Veterans to See Another Travel
Reimbursement Increase
WASHINGTON (Dec. 29, 2008) - Service-disabled
and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for
travel expenses while receiving care at
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities
will see an increase in their payments beginning
January 9.A recently passed law allows VA to
cut the amount it must withhold from their
mileage reimbursement. The deductible amount
will be $3 for each one-way trip and $6 for each
round trip - with a calendar cap of $18, or six
one-way trips or three round trips, whichever
comes first. The previous deductible was $7.77
for a one-way trip, and $15.54 for a round trip,
with a calendar cap of $46.62.
"I'm pleased that we can help veterans living
far from VA facilities to access the medical and
counseling help they deserve, especially in the
current economic climate," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Together
with the increased mileage rate approved last
month, we can further reduce the financial
hardship some veterans undergo to use our
superior health care."
In November, Peake announced VA's second
increase in the mileage reimbursement rate
during 2008, from 28.5 cents to 41.5 cents a
mile. Service-disabled and low-income veterans are
eligible to be reimbursed by VA for the travel
costs of receiving health care or counseling at
VA facilities. Veterans traveling for
Compensation and Pension examinations also
qualify for mileage reimbursement. VA can waive
deductibles if they cause financial hardship. |
