VA Beneficiary Travel is the VA program that pays eligible veterans back for the cost of getting to and from VA or VA-approved health care. If a veteran qualifies, the VA reimburses mileage for those trips, along with tolls and parking, and, with preapproval, the cost of special transportation like an ambulance or wheelchair van.

The benefit is easy to overlook, and many veterans who qualify never file for it. This guide explains who is eligible, exactly how the mileage rate and deductible work, and how to file a claim so the money actually reaches you.

In This Guide

What Is Beneficiary Travel

Beneficiary Travel, often called travel pay, is the VA program that reimburses eligible veterans for mileage and other approved costs of traveling to and from VA or VA-authorized health care. When a veteran drives to a VA medical center for an appointment, or to a community provider the VA has approved, this program can pay back the cost of that trip.

The benefit covers more than just mileage. It also pays for tolls and parking tied to the visit. With preapproval, it can cover special-mode transportation such as an ambulance or wheelchair van, and in some cases meals and lodging. The point of the program is simple: a veteran should not have to skip needed care because the cost of getting there is too high.

Who Qualifies

To qualify for general mileage reimbursement, a veteran must be traveling for VA or VA-approved care and meet at least one of the eligibility criteria below.

  • A VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher.
  • Traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, at any rating.
  • Receiving a VA pension.
  • Income below the maximum annual VA pension rate.
  • Unable to afford the travel under VA guidelines.
  • Traveling for a scheduled compensation-and-pension (C&P) exam, a service dog, or VA-approved transplant care.

Certain caregivers and medically required attendants may also be reimbursed when they travel with the veteran.

Not sure whether your VA rating or income makes you eligible? Chat with Brevy to sort through your options.

Mileage Rate and Deductible

The VA currently pays 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile for approved health-related travel. That mileage is reduced by a small deductible before the VA pays you, and the deductible is capped each month so it never grows beyond a set amount.

What the VA Pays Amount
Mileage rate 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile
Deductible, one-way trip $3 per appointment
Deductible, round trip $6 per appointment
Monthly deductible cap $18 per calendar month
After the cap is reached VA pays your full approved travel cost for the rest of that month

Here is how the cap works in practice. The deductible is $3 each way, so $6 for a round-trip appointment, subtracted before you are reimbursed. Once you have paid $18 in deductibles within a single calendar month, the VA waives any further deductible and pays your full approved travel cost for the remaining appointments that month. The program also reimburses tolls and parking connected to the visit.

The VA can change the mileage rate administratively, so it is worth confirming the current rate on va.gov before you file if it has been a while since your last trip.

Special-Mode Transportation

Some veterans cannot travel by ordinary car and need transportation that is medically required, such as an ambulance or a wheelchair van. With preapproval, Beneficiary Travel can cover this special-mode transportation, along with options like a taxi or public transit when appropriate. The program can also cover preapproved meals and lodging tied to longer trips for care.

The key word is preapproval. Special-mode transportation generally must be authorized by the VA before the trip, so contact your VA facility's travel office in advance rather than after the fact.

How to File a Claim

Veterans can file a Beneficiary Travel claim in a few ways.

  • Online through BTSSS. The Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) lets you submit and track mileage claims online, which is usually the fastest route.
  • By VA Form 10-3542. You can complete VA Form 10-3542 and submit it to your VA facility.
  • During smartphone check-in, if you are eligible to check in for your appointment that way.

Whichever method you use, file promptly. Claims are generally filed within 30 days of the appointment, so submit yours soon after each visit rather than letting them pile up.

Want help getting set up with BTSSS or filing your first claim? Chat with Brevy for a quick walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

The VA currently pays 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile for approved health-related travel, reduced by a deductible of $3 one-way or $6 round-trip per appointment.

The deductible is $3 for a one-way trip or $6 for a round trip, per appointment, capped at $18 per calendar month. Once you have paid $18 in deductibles in a month, the VA pays your full approved travel cost for the rest of that month.

Yes, with preapproval. The program can cover special-mode transportation such as an ambulance, wheelchair van, taxi, or public transit when it is medically required, plus preapproved meals and lodging.

You can file online through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS), by submitting VA Form 10-3542 to your VA facility, or during smartphone check-in if you are eligible. Claims are generally filed within 30 days of the appointment.

Learn More

Find personalized help navigating VA health benefits at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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