Did you know that if you were hurt on the job in Massachusetts and your injuries require medical attention, you may be eligible for reimbursement for travel to and from doctors’ or other medical providers' appointments. The mileage reimbursement is covered by M.G.L. c. 152 §§ 13 & 30 and 452 CMR §§ 1.07 (2) (c). This reimbursement falls under 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. 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.
The current rate of mileage reimbursement in Massachusetts of 58.5 cents per mile will increase to $0.62 per mile for injured workers for the travel to and from medical treatment effective March 23, 2026. The primary reason for the change in the mileage reimbursement rate was due to the increased cost of travel in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A lot of times, after a worker has been hurt on the job, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier provides the injured worker with an initial package that includes a mileage reimbursement form. This form typically requires 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.
However, in our experience with many injured clients that we have represented, the insurance company does not always inform or notify the injured worker of the right to mileage reimbursement. That's why we always recommend that injured workers keep a diary or calendar of all of their doctors' appointments so they can later add up the mileage and calculate the reimbursement amount.
We understand that being hurt on the job can be extremely stressful. After a serious injury, you may not only be losing time at work and your paycheck, but you may require extensive medical treatment which can be costly. You are probably concerned about how you are going to provide for yourself and your family and how you are going to cover the cost and expense of your treatment. These are completely valid concerns. Injured workers in these positions need the help of an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney.
A work accident isn't something most think about often until it happens to them. This is why injured workers typically have many questions and concerns after being seriously injured on the job. If you were hurt at work, you should have a good understanding of the workers’ compensation process and benefits available in Massachusetts. The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Mahaney & Pappas, LLP, are here to help you during this difficult time.