Yes. If you were hurt on the job and your work injury requires medical attention, then the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act requires the insurer to reimburse the employee for travel to and from doctors’ appointments or medical visits. The requirement for this mileage reimbursement is covered by M.G.L. c. 152 §§ 13 & 30 and 452 CMR §§ 1.07 (2) (c). This is covered by the medical benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance that provides that injured workers be entitled to reimbursement for all out-of-pocket medical expenses, including reimbursement for travel. The reimbursement includes mileage, parking, and tolls.
The current rate of mileage reimbursement in Massachusetts was recently changed in May of 2022 from 45 cents to 58.5 cents per mile. The primary reason for the change in the mileage reimbursement rate was due to the increased cost of travel in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Many times, after a worker has been hurt on the job, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier usually provides the injured worker with an initial package that includes a mileage reimbursement form. This form typically involves the injured worker to document the date of the medical appointment, the doctor and medical office or facility attended, the starting address, and destination address. Keep in mind, the reimbursement is for the total roundtrip mileage – this is usually the number of miles from home to the doctor and then back home.
However, in our experience, we have represented many injured workers in workers’ compensation claims where the insurance company does not inform or notify the injured worker of the right to mileage reimbursement. This is also a good reason why an injured worker should contact an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney after being hurt on the job to make sure all benefits are being sought and obtained.
To submit a claim for mileage reimbursement, we usually recommended that the injured workers use the internet or a smart phone app for map or directions (such as Google Maps or MapQuest) to determine the number of miles between the employee’s home and the doctor/facility he or she is visiting. Also, injured workers should get and keep receipts for parking so they can be reimbursed for such expenses.