How does one go about getting transportation to and from VA appointments

[Oldtimer]

I am a quad and a nonservice connected veteran. I have been driving myself to and from VA appointments for years (round trips of 180 mi. to 320 miles), I do not get travel pay. In talking to the Veterans Service Officer from my county, there is a van available but is not wheelchair accessable. If I (or any other vet) can not transfer into this van by myself then this service is not available. The reason given for not having a ramped van was cost and the drivers are not trained in this type of transport. The driver also may not help anyone get in/out of the van because of liability reasons such as insurance, workmans comp. etc. However, the officer said he could set up transportation with another service. It turns out this other service would cost me $50. and up. If I could use the VA van it would be $15. and if I drive myself it is around $22., depending on gas prices. I do not have any appointments soon but may not always be able to drive or just want to use the VA van under certain weather conditions. Anything I can do about it, contact PVA?

[SCI-Nurse]

Yes, I would recommend that you talk with your PVA NSO about this specific issue. Resources for travel vary with VA to VA, and unfortunately the VA is not covered by the ADA (as are non-federal agencies which provide shuttle service).

(KLD)

[skippy13]

My VA will provide shuttle service for me. The DAV had a lift van, but traded it for a smaller one when they lost customers due to the jump in the travel pay for driving yourself.

All you have to do is ask your doctor to schedule a med care type ambulance transport for you and they should do so.

Are you nuts not getting travel pay?lol it is at 45.6 cents per mile. A chunka change for you. The VA is very generous if you let them be. Collect your money if you can.

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by skippy13

My VA will provide shuttle service for me. The DAV had a lift van, but traded it for a smaller one when they lost customers due to the jump in the travel pay for driving yourself.

All you have to do is ask your doctor to schedule a med care type ambulance transport for you and they should do so.

Are you nuts not getting travel pay?lol it is at 45.6 cents per mile. A chunka change for you. The VA is very generous if you let them be. Collect your money if you can.

Skippy, I live out in the sticks, there are no such things like shuttle buses around here. The closest thing would be 25 miles to get me then 90 miles back in the direction it came from and the same for getting me back.

Am I missing something here? I've been in the system almost 40 years, travel pay went out the window at least 25 years ago unless service connected. I have no assets other than my house. By all means, let me know how to get travel pay. Hell, I could live on that alone!

[skippy13]

If your doc sends you to a clinic or calls you into a clinic, they have to give you travel pay. Even if it is just across town.

I live off the beaten path too (though not like you do) and they send one of those transport ambulances direct to my door complete with a lift for access and egress.

The travel pay is not connected to service connection, hell all of my trips to and from the VAMC's are not service connected. My SCI is not service connected, but I am 100% for something else.

You just have to be able to show you have a required appearance or an appointment and then collect the travel pay in cash after each appointment. If the office is closed, you can get a form outside the cashier window that you send in. You have up to thirty days to send it in and they will send you a check. Get hold of the form, and put in for the last thirty days trips. Hell all they can say is no.

Try it , I guarantee you'll like it if they pay you 43.6 (5?) cents a mile.

Ask about the medical transport too. They send one down from portland 100 miles away for me and then they call another one to take me home after my appointment, but I don't get travel pay for those appts. Ask about a meal ticket while you are there too. same window, cashiers office.

If I'm right, will you be my newest bestest friend?

[Loves2rescue]

If that doesnt pan out, perhaps a friend can drive you? Or you could place an ad in a local paper (maybe Craigslist) for someone to drive? Or a cheap local shuttle service. Here in NJ we have a service called Ocean ride for doctors visits and the like!
Good luck

[Oldtimer]

Thanks KLD, I am contacting the NSO of PVA and realize everything takes time.

[Oldtimer]

L2R, I appreciate your input! Gonna look for one of those "cheap" local shuttle service busses. Am beginning to think NJ is one great big city, I gotta have space. Best of luck always.

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by skippy13

If your doc sends you to a clinic or calls you into a clinic, they have to give you travel pay. Even if it is just across town.

I live off the beaten path too (though not like you do) and they send one of those transport ambulances direct to my door complete with a lift for access and egress.

The travel pay is not connected to service connection, hell all of my trips to and from the VAMC's are not service connected. My SCI is not service connected, but I am 100% for something else.

You just have to be able to show you have a required appearance or an appointment and then collect the travel pay in cash after each appointment. If the office is closed, you can get a form outside the cashier window that you send in. You have up to thirty days to send it in and they will send you a check. Get hold of the form, and put in for the last thirty days trips. Hell all they can say is no.

Try it , I guarantee you'll like it if they pay you 43.6 (5?) cents a mile.

Ask about the medical transport too. They send one down from portland 100 miles away for me and then they call another one to take me home after my appointment, but I don't get travel pay for those appts. Ask about a meal ticket while you are there too. same window, cashiers office.

If I'm right, will you be my newest bestest friend?

Hey Skippy, agree or disagree, friends can still be friends in my book.

You need to be along when I have VA appt's to explain why I should get travel pay. I'm sure you get it because of being service connected, 100% at that. There are two VA hosp's in MN and 5 or 6 clinics. I go to the hosps for my appts because of knowing the people, even the travel clerks. No way can I get travel pay being nonservice connected. Meal tickets stopped about 5 years ago as well. I don't eat breakfast but many times with a fasting lab & Dr. appt's it gets close to noon and I'm a good eater. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate everything I do get and am thankful for it. Bottom line for nonservice connected vet in MN. is NO TRAVEL PAY. Am beginning to see what KLD says about "vary from VA to VA". The majority of my appt's are Dr. made like a referral or annual, very few urgent care. Believe me, I have tried time after time collecting travel but it has been "SORRY" for at least the last 25 years.

I really like driving but am not getting any younger and these long cold snowy winters aren't getting any easier. Thanks and keep smiling!

[skippy13]

Really! Wow, I know that there are different policies nd procedures for just abot each VA these days. I have heard from others that they get the same bupkus as you do. I don't get it...I get all kinds of extras.lol

Today was a perfect example. I go in to have a hernia looked at and instead come out with information on my mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation I didn't know about. ("what next", she asks tempting the universe to show her what else). I am going to quit going to the doctors. everytime I do go they find something else wrong!

Better nothing I guess than what I got.lol