Post by jcfromgnatflats on Nov 17, 2008 16:17:43 GMT -6
NEWS RELEASE – Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420 www.va.gov
For more information, Office of Public Affairs Media Relations, 202.461.7600
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008
Secretary Peake Announces Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced today that he will use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans.
“We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible,” said Peake. “The increase will once again provide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with access to the VA’s world-class health system.”
Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which goes into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.
“As I have travelled the country and spoken with many of our veterans, they have expressed the need for such an increase,” added Peake. “We are pleased to be able to provide them with the increase needed and we will continue to work with our veterans to ensure they receive the quality care they need.”
While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.
Veterans, living in southeast Texas who have questions about this increase, may call (713) 794-7897 or send an e-mail to erick.smith@va.gov.
# # #
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of the largest and most complex medical centers in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Awarded Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2004, the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, and the Robert W. Carey Circle of Excellence Quality Award in 2007, the MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 120,000 veterans in southeast Texas. Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for specialized diagnostic care, surgery, and medical treatment including cardiovascular surgery, liver transplant, and treatment of spinal cord injury and diseases. Including the outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston Lufkin, and Texas City, MEDVAMC outpatient clinics logged nearly 900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008. For the latest news releases and information about the MEDVAMC, visit www.houston.va.gov/pressreleases/summary.asp.
For more information, Office of Public Affairs Media Relations, 202.461.7600
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008
Secretary Peake Announces Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced today that he will use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans.
“We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible,” said Peake. “The increase will once again provide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with access to the VA’s world-class health system.”
Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which goes into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.
“As I have travelled the country and spoken with many of our veterans, they have expressed the need for such an increase,” added Peake. “We are pleased to be able to provide them with the increase needed and we will continue to work with our veterans to ensure they receive the quality care they need.”
While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.
Veterans, living in southeast Texas who have questions about this increase, may call (713) 794-7897 or send an e-mail to erick.smith@va.gov.
# # #
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of the largest and most complex medical centers in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Awarded Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2004, the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, and the Robert W. Carey Circle of Excellence Quality Award in 2007, the MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 120,000 veterans in southeast Texas. Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for specialized diagnostic care, surgery, and medical treatment including cardiovascular surgery, liver transplant, and treatment of spinal cord injury and diseases. Including the outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston Lufkin, and Texas City, MEDVAMC outpatient clinics logged nearly 900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008. For the latest news releases and information about the MEDVAMC, visit www.houston.va.gov/pressreleases/summary.asp.