VA officials have announced they are pausing a rule change on ambulance service reimbursements. The decision comes after push back from EMS industry officials and members of Congress.
The new rules were originally slated to take effect in February 2024, however the department has now said they will not implement them until February 2025 at the earliest.
The VA initially decided to make the rule change after a 2018 VA inspector general report discovered the department paid 60% more than medicare rates for air ambulance services. The department said it would change its structure for reimbursing ambulance companies to "be good stewards of taxpayer money."
VA officials have said they are committed to changing the rates, but that they will also make sure veterans will not receive bills for the services.
When the VA announced the proposed rule change, concerns were raised that it could ultimately negatively affect veterans who live in rural areas that are far from any emergency room.
Cuts in reimbursement rates could potentially even force the closure of some emergency response services in rural areas.
Ben Clayton, CEO of Life Flight Network, called the VA's decision to postpone the rule change "a significant victory" for veterans.
The hope is that by taking the time to reevaluate the rule change, the VA will be able to ensure that veterans are not negatively impacted by the move.
Wow, take your time you wouldn't want to make a mistake on a few million. Oh but we can send BILLIONS to Ukraine immediately. Why is this, really why is this? The country is falling apart from the inside out, the infrastructure is crumbling and our corrupt politicians need an extra year or so to help the war injured. WHY IS THIS??????
Peggy they don’t care nothing about us veterans. We all used up and now the promise they gave us has been reneged. They all will answer one day to a higher power. All those Old people in Congress and the Senate need to go home and sit down.
Where we good stewards when we put our lives on the line for congress and who ever else’s ass. This is why the military is short of soldiers now. You don’t take care of us!!!! If I needed a dale boat ya’ll as should be running to get it for the men and women who served your ass. Don’t tell nothing about my patriotism when you all don’t have any!!! Double minded men and women are unstable in all their ways. That came from scriptures in case you didn’t read yours lately.