The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has notified Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) that the Department will be delaying implementation of the Final Rule on Special Modes of Transportation until February 16, 2029. The Committee has released a statement on the delay and the VA should be issuing a formal notification of the delay shortly in the Federal Register.

“I appreciate the VA providing the additional time to ensure a process for proper reimbursement of critical ambulance services for veterans and wholeheartedly thank Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran for their successful and tireless efforts in advocating for the delay,” stated AAA President Randy Strozyk. “Reimbursing ground ambulance services at Medicare rates would have a devasting impact on our members who are already struggling financially.”

The delay will allow time for a framework like the one outlined in the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act (S. 2757, H.R. 5530) to allow stakeholder input on future rates. “Our members appreciate the efforts of Senators Tester, Moran, Patty Murray, John Boozman and Susan Collins and Representatives Mike Bost and Ryan Zinke and the dozens of other members of Congress who helped push for the delay.”

The Final Rule on Special Modes of Transportation was originally scheduled to take effect on February 16, 2024, but in December 2023 the VA announced a one-year delay with the latest announcement delaying implementation for an additional four years. Under the final rule, the VA would reimburse for ambulance services provided through its beneficiary travel program at the lesser of the actual charges or Medicare rates.

We will provide more details about the delay when the VA issues its formal notice.