[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68498-68499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27339]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Increase in Mileage Reimbursement Rate and Deductible Amounts in 
the Beneficiary Travel Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice is to inform the public of the Secretary's 
decision to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
Beneficiary Travel program mileage reimbursement rate under 38 U.S.C. 
111 for travel of eligible beneficiaries in connection with VA health 
care and for other purposes. Effective November 17, 2008, the 
beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate is increased from 28.5 
cents to 41.5 cents based upon mileage traveled to or from a Department 
facility or other place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, 
counseling required by the Secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 34, 
``Educational Assistance'' or Chapter 35, ``Survivors and Dependents' 
Education Assistance'' or for the

[[Page 68499]]

purpose of examination, treatment or care. The deductible requirements 
for purposes of beneficiary travel of mileage reimbursement will remain 
at $7.77 one-way; $15.54 round trip; with a monthly cap of $46.62.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony A. Guagliardo, Director, Business 
Policy, Chief Business Office (16), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-1591. (This is not a toll-free 
number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 111, ``Payments 
or Allowances for Beneficiary Travel'' the Secretary has authority to 
establish rates for payment of mileage reimbursement for certain 
eligible beneficiaries. Funding for beneficiary travel mileage 
reimbursement comes directly from the annual health care appropriation 
and General Operating Expenses cover the Chapter 34 and Chapter 35 
reimbursement. The 2009 Appropriations Act provided funding in VA's 
health care appropriation to increase the beneficiary travel mileage 
reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile and provided instructions to 
freeze the deductible (currently $7.77 for each one way trip; $15.54 
per round trip; with a calendar month cap of $46.62).
    Public Law 110-387, ``Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
Improvements Act of 2008'' signed October 10, 2008, revises 38 U.S.C. 
111 to establish a mileage reimbursement rate equal to that for Federal 
employees when a Government vehicle is available, but the individual 
chooses to use their own vehicle (currently this rate is $.285 per 
mile). However, this law also provides that, subject to available 
appropriations, the Secretary may prescribe a rate higher than the 
mandated Federal employee rate. Further, Public Law 110-387 changes the 
VA Beneficiary Travel Program (BT) mileage deductible to $3 for each 
one-way trip; $6 per round trip; with a calendar month cap of $18 as 
specified in 38 U.S.C. 111 (c)(1) and (2). These provisions apply to 
travel expenses incurred on or after January 9, 2009. Note: Deductibles 
may be waived in accordance with 38 CFR 70.31(c) when their imposition 
would cause severe financial hardship.
    The Secretary has thus made the decision to increase VA's 
beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile 
while freezing the current deductible thresholds ($7.77 for each one 
way trip; $15.54 per round trip; with a calendar month cap of $46.62) 
effective November 17, 2008, until January 9, 2009, at which time the 
mileage reimbursement rate will remain at 41.5 cents per mile while the 
deductibles will revert to $3 for each one-way trip; $6 per round trip; 
with a calendar month cap of $18, for travel expenses incurred on or 
after January 9, 2009.
    In making this decision, the Secretary also reviewed and analyzed 
other factors including the increase in the cost of depreciation of 
vehicles, gasoline and oil, maintenance, accessories, parts, and tires, 
insurances and taxes; the availability of and time required for public 
transportation; and the other mileage allowances authorized for Federal 
employees.

    Approved: November 13, 2008.
James B. Peake,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8-27339 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
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