awards, and incentives. (B) The term covered employee means a physician, podiatrist, or dentist subject to market pay under section 7431 of title 38, United States Code. 143. Reimbursement of ambulance cost for care for certain rural veterans (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pay, or reimburse a covered veteran for, the cost of transporting the veteran by ambulance, including air ambulance, from a covered location to a provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a non-Department provider, or the nearest hospital that can meet the needs of the veteran (including a hospital that compacts with the Indian Health Service) for covered care. (b) Amount covered The maximum cumulative amount covered under this section for a covered veteran is $46,000. (c) Sunset This section shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2026. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered care means care for a veteran eligible for care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs under title 38, United States Code, or any other law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, even if the care associated with the transport described in subsection (a) is not authorized by the Department. (2) The term covered location means a location that is— (A) in a State that is 100 miles or more from the nearest medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs