The Cost of Getting to Care
You have mesothelioma. You need specialized treatment. The nearest VA hospital that offers the care you need is 100 miles away. Or 200 miles. Or across the state.
You are already dealing with fatigue, pain, and shortness of breath. Now you have to add hours of driving to every appointment. Gas is expensive. Tolls add up. Sometimes you need a hotel room. Sometimes you need to eat on the road.
The costs add up quickly. And when you cannot work because of your illness, every dollar matters.
Here is something you need to know. The VA has a program that reimburses veterans for travel to VA-approved medical appointments. It is called the Beneficiary Travel Program. It pays for mileage, tolls, parking, and in some cases, meals and lodging.
For veterans with mesothelioma who travel long distances for specialized care, this program can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about VA travel reimbursement for veterans with mesothelioma. You will learn who qualifies, how much you can get, what expenses are covered, how to claim your reimbursement, and how to get pre-approved for long-distance travel.
No complicated government language. No confusion. Just clear, honest information to help you get paid for the miles you drive to get the care you need.
Part 1: What Is the VA Beneficiary Travel Program?
The Simple Explanation
The VA Beneficiary Travel Program reimburses eligible veterans for travel expenses to and from VA-approved medical appointments. This includes:
- Mileage (per mile rate set by the VA)
- Tolls
- Parking fees
- In some cases, meals and lodging
The program exists because the VA recognizes that veterans should not have to choose between getting medical care and paying their bills. If you need to travel for treatment, the VA will help cover the cost.
Why This Matters for Veterans with Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Not every VA hospital has specialists who can treat it. Many veterans with mesothelioma must travel to specialized centers like:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York)
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
These centers may be hundreds of miles from your home. The Beneficiary Travel Program can help cover those travel costs.
Part 2: Do You Qualify for Travel Reimbursement?
Basic Eligibility Requirements
You qualify for VA travel reimbursement if you meet any of the following criteria.
Criterion 1: You have a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or higher.
For veterans with mesothelioma (rated at 100 percent), you qualify automatically. This is the most common path for mesothelioma veterans.
Criterion 2: You are traveling for a VA-approved service related to your service-connected condition.
Your appointment must be at a VA facility or a VA-approved community care provider. The appointment must be for treatment of your service-connected condition (mesothelioma qualifies).
Criterion 3: You have a low income (if your disability rating is below 30 percent).
This does not apply to mesothelioma veterans since you have a 100 percent rating.
Criterion 4: You are traveling for a VA-approved transplant or other specialized procedure.
What Appointments Are Covered?
- VA hospital or clinic appointments
- Community care (VCCP) appointments at non-VA facilities
- VA-approved C&P exams
- VA-approved mental health appointments
- VA-approved dental appointments
- VA-approved pharmacy pickups (if the pharmacy is more than 20 miles away)
What Appointments Are NOT Covered?
- Appointments you miss or cancel without rescheduling
- Appointments for conditions not related to your service-connected disability (unless you have a 50 percent or higher rating)
- Routine trips for non-medical purposes
Part 3: How Much Does the VA Pay for Travel?
Mileage Rate (2026)
The VA reimburses at a rate per mile. The rate is set annually and is typically close to the federal business mileage rate.
2026 VA mileage rate: Approximately 0.22to0.25 per mile (varies slightly by region)
Example: You drive 100 miles one way to a VA appointment. Round trip is 200 miles. At 0.22permile,yourreimbursementis44.00.
Deductible
Here is something important to know. For each one-way trip, the VA subtracts a deductible. The deductible is $6.00 per one-way trip (2026 rate).
Why the deductible exists: The VA assumes the first few miles of any trip are your responsibility (like your daily commute). The deductible reduces the total reimbursement.
Example: Your one-way trip is 100 miles. Reimbursement: 100 miles x 0.22=22.00. Subtract 6.00deductible=16.00 for one way. Round trip = $32.00.
Note: Some veterans are exempt from the deductible. See Part 4 below.
Tolls and Parking
In addition to mileage reimbursement, the VA reimburses for:
- Tolls: Actual cost of tolls for the most direct route
- Parking: Actual cost of parking at the VA facility (not for valet parking)
Keep your receipts for tolls and parking. Submit them with your claim.
Meals and Lodging (Long-Distance Travel)
If you need to travel more than 100 miles one way, you may be eligible for reimbursement of meals and lodging.
Meal allowance: Approximately 15−20 per meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Lodging allowance: Up to the local federal per diem rate for hotels
Pre-approval required: You must get pre-approval from the VA Beneficiary Travel office before you travel for meals and lodging reimbursement. Call before you go.
Special Mode Transportation (Ambulance, Medivan, Air)
If you are too sick to drive yourself, the VA may pay for:
- Ambulance transport (emergency and non-emergency)
- Medivan or wheelchair van transport
- Commercial airfare (for very long distances)
Pre-approval required: Always required for special mode transportation.
Part 4: Who Is Exempt from the Deductible?
Some veterans are exempt from the $6.00 per trip deductible.
You are exempt if:
- You have a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or higher (mesothelioma veterans qualify)
- You are traveling for a VA-approved transplant
- You are traveling for a VA-approved C&P exam
- You are a former prisoner of war
- You receive Aid and Attendance benefits
For mesothelioma veterans: Because you have a 100 percent rating, you are exempt from the deductible. You do not need to subtract $6.00 per trip.
Example with exemption: 100 miles one way x 0.22=22.00. No deductible. 22.00foroneway.Roundtrip=44.00.
Part 5: How to Claim Your Travel Reimbursement
Option 1: Online Through VA.gov (Fastest)
This is the easiest and fastest way to claim travel reimbursement.
Step One: Log into VA.gov.
Step Two: Navigate to “Beneficiary Travel” under the “Health Care” section.
Step Three: Enter the date, location, and purpose of your appointment.
Step Four: Enter the number of miles driven.
Step Five: Submit your claim.
Payment time: 7-14 days via direct deposit (if you have VA direct deposit set up) or by check.
Option 2: In-Person Kiosk at VA Facility
Many VA medical centers have self-service kiosks for travel reimbursement.
Step One: After your appointment, find a travel reimbursement kiosk (usually near the pharmacy or main lobby).
Step Two: Scan your VA ID card.
Step Three: Confirm your appointment information.
Step Four: The kiosk will print a voucher.
Step Five: Submit the voucher to the travel office (or it may be automatically processed).
Payment time: 7-14 days
Option 3: By Mail (Slowest)
If you cannot use online or kiosk, you can submit a paper claim.
Step One: Complete VA Form 10-3542 (Application for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses).
Step Two: Attach copies of your toll and parking receipts.
Step Three: Mail to your local VA medical center’s Beneficiary Travel office.
Payment time: 4-8 weeks
Part 6: Pre-Approval for Long-Distance Travel
If you need to travel for specialized mesothelioma treatment at a distant facility, you should get pre-approval before you go.
Why Pre-Approval Matters
- It confirms that the VA will pay for your travel
- It allows you to claim meals and lodging
- It prevents claim denials
How to Get Pre-Approval
Step One: Ask your VA provider for a referral to the distant facility (if not already approved).
Step Two: Call the Beneficiary Travel office at your local VA medical center.
Step Three: Tell them you need to travel for specialized mesothelioma treatment.
Step Four: They will issue an authorization letter.
Appointments that may require pre-approval:
- Out-of-state travel
- Travel for clinical trials
- Travel for specialized surgery or HIPEC
- Travel for initial consultation at a distant cancer center
Part 7: Travel Reimbursement for Caregivers
If you are a caregiver driving a veteran to appointments, you may also be eligible for travel reimbursement.
Caregiver Eligibility
- You must be the veteran’s primary family caregiver
- The veteran must be unable to drive themselves
- You must be traveling to a VA-approved appointment
How Caregivers Claim Travel
The veteran must claim the travel reimbursement on behalf of the caregiver. The veteran completes the claim online or by paper.
Documents needed:
- A note from the veteran’s doctor stating the veteran is unable to drive
- The caregiver’s name and relationship to the veteran
Payment
The reimbursement is paid to the veteran, not to the caregiver. The veteran can then reimburse the caregiver.
Part 8: Special Considerations for Mesothelioma Veterans
Frequent Appointments
Mesothelioma treatment often involves frequent appointments. Chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Radiation daily for several weeks. Follow-up scans every few months.
You can claim travel reimbursement for every appointment. There is no limit on the number of claims.
Community Care (VCCP) Appointments
If you are receiving treatment at a local non-VA hospital through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), those appointments are also covered. You can claim travel reimbursement for VCCP appointments just like VA appointments.
Ambulance Transport
If you need emergency ambulance transport to the hospital, call the Beneficiary Travel office within 72 hours. You may be reimbursed for the ambulance cost.
Air Travel
For very long distances (e.g., living in Alaska and needing treatment in Houston), the VA may approve commercial air travel. Pre-approval is always required. You cannot fly first class – only economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get reimbursed?
Online claims: 7-14 days. Kiosk claims: 7-14 days. Paper claims: 4-8 weeks.
Do I need to keep receipts?
Yes. Keep receipts for tolls and parking. You do not need receipts for mileage (the VA uses your stated miles).
What if I drive an electric car?
The VA pays the same per-mile rate regardless of fuel type. You do not get extra for electricity.
What if I carpool with another veteran?
Each veteran can claim their own travel reimbursement. You do not need to divide the miles.
What if I miss my appointment?
You cannot claim reimbursement for missed appointments. If you reschedule, you can claim for the new appointment.
What if the VA says my claim is denied?
You can appeal. Contact the Beneficiary Travel office at your local VA medical center. Ask why it was denied. Provide additional documentation if needed.
Resources
- VA Beneficiary Travel Information: www.va.gov/health-benefits/beneficiary-travel/
- File a Travel Claim Online: www.va.gov (log in, go to Health Care, then Beneficiary Travel)
- Beneficiary Travel Helpline: 1-800-827-1000 (ask for Beneficiary Travel)
- VA Form 10-3542: Download from VA.gov
- Find Your Local VA Medical Center: www.va.gov/find-locations/
Final Thoughts: Get Reimbursed for Every Mile
You are already dealing with enough. Fatigue. Pain. Treatment side effects. Worry about your family. Worry about money.
You should not have to worry about the cost of driving to your appointments. The VA Beneficiary Travel Program is here to help. It reimburses you for mileage, tolls, and parking. For long-distance trips, it can cover meals and lodging.
You have a 100 percent service-connected disability. You are exempt from the deductible. You qualify for full reimbursement.
Do not leave money on the table. File your travel claims after every appointment. Use the online system – it takes two minutes. Get paid.
Every dollar helps. You earned it.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the VA Beneficiary Travel Program for veterans with mesothelioma. It does not constitute legal advice or official VA guidance. VA benefits rules change. Travel reimbursement rates and deductibles are subject to change. Every veteran’s situation is different. Always consult with your local VA Beneficiary Travel office about your specific situation. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, speak with a doctor immediately and contact a VA-accredited claims agent or an attorney to understand your benefits, including travel reimbursement.