The Department of Veterans Affairs has postponed planned changes to its ambulance reimbursement rates — a proposal that was to go into effect in February despite concern from the companies that provide air and ground transport services and veterans who potentially will be affected by the change.
In response to a 2018 VA inspector general report that found the department paid roughly 60% more than Medicare rates for air ambulance services, the VA announced earlier this year that it would change its structure for reimbursing ambulance companies in an effort to address the difference and “be good stewards of taxpayer money.”
The change was to go into effect on Feb. 16, 2024. But the VA announced last week that it would delay the change until February 2025. In an announcement posted on the VA website, officials said they were committed to changing the rates but also would ensure that veterans would not receive bills for the services.
Read Next: As Laser Pointer Incidents Spike, Airmen Are Getting Updated Eyewear That Provides Better Protection
“VA will pay the lesser of actual charge associated with an air ambulance service, or the standard [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] rate for that service, unless a separate rate has been established based on local contracts between air ambulance providers and local VA medical centers,” officials wrote. “VA intends to include terms in these contracts to ensure that veteran care…
