Travel Claim Policy

Complete the updated Travel Claim Form and send it to finance@rfmcf.co.za for review.

1. Please complete the Travel Claim Reimbursement Form in full.
2. Proof of admission/hospitalisation of the person into a hospital.
3. If traveling by ambulance, public or via a private transportation service, proof of the transportation invoice (transportation service purchased by the VPA Member) must be provided.

Note:

• The cheapest bus quote tariff will be used as a reimbursement tariff in the event that a private transportation service was utilised.
• Travel arrangements must be made by the VPA Member (family or friends if need be).
• Travel Claim reimbursement is only applicable as stipulated in the SANDF General Regulations, Part IV: RFMCF of Chapter XV: Medical Matters, Regulation 24 (Rights, privileges and duties in respect of the Fund) 8. a & b, which reads:

(8) (a) Whenever the Surgeon-General deems it necessary, in respect of the admission or future admission of a person to a hospital in terms of subregulation (2) and the person’s medical condition makes him or her unfit to provide his or her own transport, the Surgeon-General may authorise the transportation of such person to and from hospital in an ambulance or any Government or public transport and for this purpose authorise the issue authority for the most economical method of transport against repayment: Provided that authorisation for the use of private transport, where Government or public transport is not available or feasible, may be granted by the Manager of the Fund on a standing authorisation of the Surgeon-General; 

(b) the Fund must pay for the use of any transport authorised in terms of subparagraph (a) according to –

(i) the tariffs laid down by Treasury for Government transport;

(ii) the public tariffs laid down in respect of transport by rail or by air; and

(iii) the tariffs applicable to any other form of transport, as the case may be.

Definition of unfit: A patient is considered unfit for travel when their medical condition poses a significant risk to their health or safety during the journey. This determination is typically made by a healthcare professional, taking into account various factors such as the patient’s overall health, the nature and severity of their condition, the duration and mode of travel, and the availability of appropriate medical care en route. Unfitness for travel may be due to acute illnesses, exacerbation of chronic conditions, recent surgeries, or other medical reasons that could compromise the patient’s ability to endure the physical stresses of travel.

No provision exists to approve the following in respect of a patient:

1. Traveling costs if the patient utilised military transport or any other transport at State expense.
2. Traveling costs in Namibia.
3. Toll road fees.
4. Traveling costs for socio-welfare-related reasons.
5. Costs for accommodation and meals.
6. Traveling costs for weekend passes of admitted patients.
7. Traveling to and from sickbays/out-patient consultations

If any of the above-mentioned requirements are incomplete or found to be inaccurate, the claim will not be processed.