Beneficiary travel 30-day timely filing rule starts June 9, 2023

Effective June 9, 2023, Veterans and their caregivers must submit claims for beneficiary travel reimbursement within 30 days of the appointment date. The extension previously granted under the national COVID-19 emergency, which allowed for filing travel pay claims more than 30 days after the appointment date, will end on this date.

All community care claims will require proof of attendance and claims may be denied for lack of proof. It is the Veteran or their representative’s responsibility to provide the proof of attendance. Issues may occur when non-VA clinics don’t return the Medical Record Chart Note or other medical records in a timely manner to VA. Please ask your provider to provide this proof of attendance without delay as the 30-day timely filing rule will be in effect starting June 9, 2023.

To file your claim online or learn more about the rules for travel reimbursement, scan the QR code below to access the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS) or visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/#file-a-claim-for-general-healt.

For reference,  you can review the policy that governs how this impacts beneficiary travel at 42 USC 1320b5(g)(1) and 38 CFR Part 70, subpart A.

For further questions, please contact:

San Francisco VA’s Veterans Transportation Program at 415-221-4810 x 23080 or

Patrick Jones, Mobility Manager, 415-221-4810 x 25169

About Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs established 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) to help Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors understand and access the broad spectrum of VA benefits and services.

Call 1-800-MyVA411 for information about:

• COVID-19 updates
• Health care eligibility and enrollment
• VA benefits, such as disability, compensation and pension, education programs, caregiver support, insurance, home loans, and burial headstones and markers among others
• The nearest VA medical centers, benefits offices or cemeteries to Veterans, VA Medical Center operational updates and connection to VA Medical Center operators
• Directory assistance and technical support for VA.gov
• Debt and payment options

About San Francisco VA Health Care System San Francisco VA Health Care System provides health services to Veterans through the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) and nine community-based outpatient clinics in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, Clearlake, San Bruno and Downtown San Francisco. Visit us at www.sanfrancisco.va.gov. You can also follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/SFVAMC and www.twitter.com/SFVAMC.

“To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.’’