Minn. volunteers take hit on reimbursement change
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Volunteers who drive people without their own transportation to medical appointments are feeling the pinch after a change in state reimbursement rules.
The Free Press of Mankato reports that the Minnesota Department of Human Services clarified its policy for reimbursing such medical transport volunteers in January.
It ruled that it won't reimburse drivers when the client isn't in the vehicle. That's often when the volunteer is driving to pick up the client or has just dropped them at home.
Mankato-based VINE is one provider of those rides. VINE Director Pam Determan says she expects that many volunteers, especially those in rural areas, won't be able to afford to help out anymore.
Normal reimbursements are at the IRS business rate, which was 55 cents per mile in 2009. ---
Information from: The Free Press
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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