Virginia Law

A. Transportation. Upon submission of receipts, the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program (Program) will reimburse parking fees associated with medically necessary travel. The Program will reimburse documented mileage for medically necessary travel at the following rates:

1. Mileage will be reimbursed at 50% of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's mileage rate for vans provided by the Program. Mileage reimbursement typically covers gasoline and other costs of operation. Because the Program provides the van in this instance, the Program's mileage reimbursement is intended only to cover the cost of gasoline associated with medically necessary transportation. Mileage is based on the distance from the home to the appointment location. Verification may be required by the Program.

2. For use of personal vehicles, reimbursement will be at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's mileage rate. In the event a van provided by the Program is unavailable, the mileage reimbursement allowance provided would be that allowed for vans purchased by the Program. Upon submission of receipts, the Program will reimburse other medically necessary transportation expenses not otherwise reimbursed.

B. Postage. The Program will pay postage for reimbursement requests submitted to the Program and for information requested by the Program.

C. Cell phones. If the Program receives a prescription from the admitted claimant's primary care physician or appropriate treating specialist physician that a cellular telephone is medically necessary, the Program will pay for basic monthly emergency service. If basic emergency service is unavailable, the Program will pay for basic monthly service only. If installation of the cellular telephone is required, the phone must be installed in the vehicle in which the admitted claimant is transported. An admitted claimant's parent or guardian must contact the Program for the current allowable amounts.

D. Diapers. Beginning at age three years, the Program will pay for diapers for an admitted claimant when deemed medically necessary pursuant to the Program's purchasing guidelines. If the parent or guardian of an admitted claimant does not have receipts for the period of time between the child's third birthday and the child's admission into the Program, the parent or guardian may submit the reimbursement request with the prescription and receive reimbursement based upon the Medicaid reimbursement rate.

E. Therapeutic toys. The Program will provide therapeutic toys with documentation of the therapeutic benefit of the toys. These toys are not to exceed $300 per calendar year. Once the admitted claimant has no need for these toys and if the toys are in good condition, the Program will accept their return to be used to stock a lending program. The toys will be sanitized prior to use by other families.

F. Other expenses. The Program may pay other medically necessary expenses of the admitted claimant as determined by the Program's Board of Directors in its discretion. Requests for medically necessary services, etc., that are not addressed in this chapter should be sent to the Executive Director of the Program who will refer these requests to the board for action.