Transportation Policy
The goal of the Pickaway County Veterans’ Services is to provide transportation to VA medical appointments based on the availability of resources. Transportation is provided through taxpayer’s monies which are governed under part 5901 of the Ohio Revised Code. Services provided are a privilege, not an entitlement, and will be provided on a first come first served basis. Cooperation by the veteran is required and essential to provide services in an efficient manner. The veteran will be required to update and sign a new policy form each year and it will be kept on file in the office. Exceptions to the guidelines of this policy will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will need approval of the Director.
We currently transport to the following locations: Chillicothe VAMC, Columbus VAOPC, Dayton VAMC, Lancaster CBOC, Grove City CBOC, Cincinnati VAMC, Huntington VAMC, Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland Regional office and various other VA referred appointments.
The following is a list of our policies that govern our transportation policy. Failure to comply with the transportation policy will lead to forfeiture of the veteran’s transportation privileges.
- Veteran MUST be a resident of Pickaway County to be transported in our vans. This office MUST have a copy of your DD 214, under honorable conditions or better, or proof of veteran status on file prior to transport.
- We transport to medical appointments ONLY at VA facilities, VA Medical Center or VA referred medical facilities.
- We transport Monday through Friday except on legal holidays. WE DO NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION. YOU NEED TO CALL 911.
- It is the responsibility of the veteran to provide a safe access to the home and a safe pick up point with room for the vehicle to turn around. Our vans cannot be at risk of getting stuck or putting our driver or passengers at risk of injury getting to the house for pickup. If the drive is not accessible other arrangements will have to be made or our office will not provide transportation.
- If bad weather is imminent or expected, transportation may be cancelled on very short notice. We will notify you as soon as possible so you can reschedule. In the event of a level 2 weather emergency, there will be no transportation provided.
- Pick up and departure times will be based on the earliest and latest appointment time, in the event several veterans require transportation to the same facility.
- All transportation must be coordinated with the Transportation Coordinator, NOT the driver.
- Notify office of address or telephone number changes.
- The latest appointment time for any medical appointment is 3PM. Exceptions to this will need approval of Director.
- Appointment times and dates will be verified by the Transportation Coordinator and if the appointment cannot be verified, it is the responsibility of the veteran to provide verification to the office.
- When veteran has multiple appointments on the same day, they must notify the Transportation Coordinator at the time of scheduling. If appointment time is not scheduled, driver is instructed to bring veteran home after the appointment that is scheduled on their sheet. If there are additional procedures added to existing appointment, the veteran SHALL notify the driver, or the office of the delay so other arrangements can be made.
- The driver will make every attempt to contact the veteran by 8pm the night before to verify the veteran’s pick-up time. If the driver cannot reach the veteran by 8pm it is ultimately the veteran’s responsibility to be ready in a reasonable time to get to their appointment. All passengers are expected to be ready at their scheduled pick up time. The vans cannot wait on you. Please be on time or risk being left.
- Veteran MUST advise the office of date, time, and location of medical appointment. For all VA referred facilities, veteran needs to provide this office with the exact address of that facility.
- Our office requires at least 48 hours notice for a transportation request. Requests less than 48 hours will be honored only if we have other veterans going to that facility, departure time is not affected, van is not full and providing the driver can be contacted.
- Veteran will notify this office if you or the VA cancels or reschedules your appointment.
- Clients who do not show without notification to this office may be denied future transportation regardless of the reason.
- Our drivers are ONLY permitted to take veterans to location on their trip sheet. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Veteran MUST be returned to location of pickup. If veteran is not returning from the appointment with the driver, prior arrangements must be made with the Transportation Coordinator. Exceptions will be determined and approved by the Director on a case by case basis. Example: case worker is bringing veteran home.
- The van is permitted to stop for rest stops and, or emergencies and to pick up and discharge passenger. NO SIDE TRIPS for PERSONAL BUSINESS.
- Our drivers are not permitted to lift or attend medically, any person in our vans. The office needs to be notified in advance if you need a spouse or caregiver to accompany you. Drivers cannot act as caregivers, per VA Clinic requirements. Your caregiver or spouse will be required to sign a release of liability and a statement from your doctor must be on file with our office prior to your scheduled trip. Let our office know if you require a handicapped van for wheelchair access.
- All occupants MUST wear seatbelts and obey all safety rules while using the van for transportation.
- The Driver is in charge of the van. The use of obscene, offensive or abusive language will not be tolerated by either the driver, the office staff, or the other veterans that are passengers.
- Drivers have the option to refuse transportation to anyone who appears seriously ill, cannot get into the van on their own free will, except when accompanied by a caregiver.
- Veterans under the influence of alcohol or drugs or acting in a rude manner toward the driver or other passengers will be removed from the Transportation Program.
- No smoking, eating, drinking or use of tobacco products is permitted in any vehicle. This includes the transportation of firearms, alcohol or illegal substances in our vans.
- Driver cell phones are to be used while in vans for official use only. Drivers will only use cell phone while not driving.
- Please be advised that you are NOT entitled or eligible for travel pay from the VAMC if transported by our vans. This is a prosecutable offense.
We currently transport to the following locations: Chillicothe VAMC, Columbus VAOPC, Dayton VAMC, Lancaster CBOC, Grove City CBOC, Cincinnati VAMC, Huntington VAMC, Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland Regional office and various other VA referred appointments.
The following is a list of our policies that govern our transportation policy. Failure to comply with the transportation policy will lead to forfeiture of the veteran’s transportation privileges.
- Veteran MUST be a resident of Pickaway County to be transported in our vans. This office MUST have a copy of your DD 214, under honorable conditions or better, or proof of veteran status on file prior to transport.
- We transport to medical appointments ONLY at VA facilities, VA Medical Center or VA referred medical facilities.
- We transport Monday through Friday except on legal holidays. WE DO NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION. YOU NEED TO CALL 911.
- It is the responsibility of the veteran to provide a safe access to the home and a safe pick up point with room for the vehicle to turn around. Our vans cannot be at risk of getting stuck or putting our driver or passengers at risk of injury getting to the house for pickup. If the drive is not accessible other arrangements will have to be made or our office will not provide transportation.
- If bad weather is imminent or expected, transportation may be cancelled on very short notice. We will notify you as soon as possible so you can reschedule. In the event of a level 2 weather emergency, there will be no transportation provided.
- Pick up and departure times will be based on the earliest and latest appointment time, in the event several veterans require transportation to the same facility.
- All transportation must be coordinated with the Transportation Coordinator, NOT the driver.
- Notify office of address or telephone number changes.
- The latest appointment time for any medical appointment is 3PM. Exceptions to this will need approval of Director.
- Appointment times and dates will be verified by the Transportation Coordinator and if the appointment cannot be verified, it is the responsibility of the veteran to provide verification to the office.
- When veteran has multiple appointments on the same day, they must notify the Transportation Coordinator at the time of scheduling. If appointment time is not scheduled, driver is instructed to bring veteran home after the appointment that is scheduled on their sheet. If there are additional procedures added to existing appointment, the veteran SHALL notify the driver, or the office of the delay so other arrangements can be made.
- The driver will make every attempt to contact the veteran by 8pm the night before to verify the veteran’s pick-up time. If the driver cannot reach the veteran by 8pm it is ultimately the veteran’s responsibility to be ready in a reasonable time to get to their appointment. All passengers are expected to be ready at their scheduled pick up time. The vans cannot wait on you. Please be on time or risk being left.
- Veteran MUST advise the office of date, time, and location of medical appointment. For all VA referred facilities, veteran needs to provide this office with the exact address of that facility.
- Our office requires at least 48 hours notice for a transportation request. Requests less than 48 hours will be honored only if we have other veterans going to that facility, departure time is not affected, van is not full and providing the driver can be contacted.
- Veteran will notify this office if you or the VA cancels or reschedules your appointment.
- Clients who do not show without notification to this office may be denied future transportation regardless of the reason.
- Our drivers are ONLY permitted to take veterans to location on their trip sheet. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Veteran MUST be returned to location of pickup. If veteran is not returning from the appointment with the driver, prior arrangements must be made with the Transportation Coordinator. Exceptions will be determined and approved by the Director on a case by case basis. Example: case worker is bringing veteran home.
- The van is permitted to stop for rest stops and, or emergencies and to pick up and discharge passenger. NO SIDE TRIPS for PERSONAL BUSINESS.
- Our drivers are not permitted to lift or attend medically, any person in our vans. The office needs to be notified in advance if you need a spouse or caregiver to accompany you. Drivers cannot act as caregivers, per VA Clinic requirements. Your caregiver or spouse will be required to sign a release of liability and a statement from your doctor must be on file with our office prior to your scheduled trip. Let our office know if you require a handicapped van for wheelchair access.
- All occupants MUST wear seatbelts and obey all safety rules while using the van for transportation.
- The Driver is in charge of the van. The use of obscene, offensive or abusive language will not be tolerated by either the driver, the office staff, or the other veterans that are passengers.
- Drivers have the option to refuse transportation to anyone who appears seriously ill, cannot get into the van on their own free will, except when accompanied by a caregiver.
- Veterans under the influence of alcohol or drugs or acting in a rude manner toward the driver or other passengers will be removed from the Transportation Program.
- No smoking, eating, drinking or use of tobacco products is permitted in any vehicle. This includes the transportation of firearms, alcohol or illegal substances in our vans.
- Driver cell phones are to be used while in vans for official use only. Drivers will only use cell phone while not driving.
- Please be advised that you are NOT entitled or eligible for travel pay from the VAMC if transported by our vans. This is a prosecutable offense.
