Will the Insurance Company Provide me with Transportation in a Worker’s Comp Claim?

Damon Duncan By Damon Duncan, Board-Certified Specialist 2 min read
Workers' Compensation

The Short Answer

Yes, the workers' comp insurance company is required to reimburse your transportation costs to approved medical appointments. As of January 2013, North Carolina law sets reimbursement at $0.565 per mile for trips over 20 miles round trip. If your injury prevents you from driving yourself, the North Carolina Industrial Commission can order the insurance company to arrange special transportation for you. To get reimbursed, you must complete and submit NC Industrial Commission Form 25T along with your receipts.

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Yes, the insurance company can provide you with transportation to receive medical care that is approved by the insurance company or the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Usually you must provide your own transportation, but the insurance company will reimburse you the expenses.  However, if your injury makes it difficult to drive to and from your medical treatment then the insurance company may be compelled to provide you with transportation by the Industrial Commission.

Doing Workers' Compensation Research on a ComputerCurrently the North Carolina law requires the worker’s compensation to reimburse you $0.565 per mile as of January 2013. This amount may change as the cost of gasoline changes.  To be reimbursed, your trip must be more than 20 miles round trip. Normally you will not be reimbursed for medication and supplies on a separate trip in which you did not receive medical care.  These medications and supplies must be purchased on the same trip you are receiving your medical care.

Special consideration will be provided to persons that are unable to drive to receive their medical treatments. The worker’s compensation insurance company, on the orders of the Industrial Commission, may provide special transportation for those injured workers, such as a special van for wheel chairs, etc.

In the event you must stay overnight for your medical care, certain expenses are covered.  These are normally hotel rooms up to $45 per day.  You may receive up to $28 per day for food. You can also be reimbursed for parking and cab expense for your medical treatment.  However, you must provide actual receipts as proof of your expenses that will be reimbursed to you.

To be reimbursed for your travel expenses, you must complete, sign, and submit North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 25T and your receipts to the worker’s compensation insurance company for reimbursement. Be sure and keep a copy of the form and your receipts for your own records.

Key Takeaways

  • North Carolina workers' comp requires mileage reimbursement at $0.565 per mile, but only for trips exceeding 20 miles round trip to approved medical appointments.
  • If your injury makes driving impossible, the NC Industrial Commission can order the insurance company to provide specialized transportation, such as a wheelchair-accessible van.
  • Medications and supplies are only reimbursable when picked up on the same trip as a medical appointment — a separate trip solely for prescriptions typically does not qualify.
  • Overnight stays for medical care can be reimbursed up to $45 per night for lodging and up to $28 per day for meals, with receipts required for all expenses.
  • You must complete, sign, and submit NC Industrial Commission Form 25T with all supporting receipts to the insurance company to receive any reimbursement.
  • Always keep a copy of your Form 25T and every receipt for your own records in case of any dispute with the insurance company.
Damon Duncan

About the Author

Damon Duncan

Damon Duncan is a Board Certified consumer bankruptcy attorney at Duncan Law, LLP — helping North Carolina families stop collection calls, protect their property, and get a real fresh start through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. He is dedicated to guiding clients through the practical realities of financial recovery, including discharging overwhelming medical debt and halting wage garnishments. Duncan Law has served clients across North Carolina since 1996. In addition to the practice of law, Damon leverages his extensive understanding of debt and asset protection to teach Secured Transactions as a law professor at Elon University School of Law.

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