Mileage benefits increase

[John Harrelson]

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans Peake:
Disabled Veterans Earned Increase
WASHINGTON (January 31, 2008) -

Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow, for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.

"This increase helps veterans -- especially those living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA's world-class health care," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve."

The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from
<span class="ev_code_RED">11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile</span>.
The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1.

After little more then a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursement
in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month.

While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements.

The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month.

However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

[John Harrelson]

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans Peake:
Disabled Veterans Earned Increase
WASHINGTON (January 31, 2008) -

Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow, for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.

"This increase helps veterans -- especially those living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA's world-class health care," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve."

The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from
<span class="ev_code_RED">11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile</span>.
The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1.

After little more then a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursement
in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month.

While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements.

The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month.

However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

[John Harrelson]

Just got this info from John Wolfskill over on Escapees and want to pas it on to the other forums for all veterans who may question if they qualify for travel pay..

This is an excerpt directly from the VA book..
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VHA DIRECTIVE 2008-006
January 30, 2008
2
for mileage reimbursement at appropriate rates for dates of travel both before and after February 1, 2008. The patch must be installed by February 1, 2008.

e. Those eligible for mileage reimbursement for travel to or from a VA facility or other place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care include:

(1) Veterans rated 30 percent or more service connected (SC) for travel relating to any condition;

(2) Veterans rated less than 30 percent for travel relating to their SC condition;

(3) Veterans receiving VA pension benefits for all conditions;

(4) Veterans with annual income below the maximum applicable annual rate of pension for all conditions;

(5) Veterans traveling in relation to a C&P Examination; and

(6) Veterans in an authorized Vocational Rehabilitation Program for all conditions.

3. POLICY: It is VHA policy that effective February 1, 2008,

the Beneficiary Travel Program mileage reimbursement rate will be 28.5 cents per mile with associated deductibles of $7.77 per one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and a maximum deductible of $46.62 per calendar month for travel to or from a VA facility or <span class="ev_code_RED">other place</span> for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care.

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<span class="ev_code_RED">"OTHER PLACE"</span> ?? ... I wonder if that means places like civilian doctor specialist for specialized treatments ?

Anybody know ?