What is L&I Travel Expense Reimbursement?
Travel expense reimbursement is a benefit that some injured workers are eligible to receive. The benefit is relatively small and only available in some circumstances.
When Do You Get L&I Travel Reimbursement?
- Travel to and from IMEs at the department’s or self-insurers request
- Travel to and from vocational services at the department’s or self-insurers request
- Travel to and from the fitting of prosthetic devices
- Travel to and from your medical treatment – with prior authorization
- Travel to and from your vocational training – with prior authorization
How Do You Get Workers’ Comp Travel Reimbursement?
- Travel Reimbursement Request Form – Your request must be made within one year of the trip and must indicate the date, destination, and reason for travel. Reimbursement Request
- Save Receipts! Receipts are required for all expenses except parking expenses under $10.
What is a Travel Expense?
- Lodging, food, mileage, taxi, parking, tolls, etc.
When and How Much Travel Expense Is Reimbursed?
- Travel expenses will be reimbursed at the current Department rate, subject to the Travel Rules below.
- The L&I travel reimbursement rules can be found at WAC 296-20-1103.
- Reimbursement is based on the current domestic per diem rates. See Reimbursement Rates for Lodging, Meals, and Vehicle Mileage for current rates.
- IMEs – The hourly wage at the time of the exam for missed work, meals, hotel expenses, taxi fare, parking costs, and ferry and bridge tolls.
- Medical treatment and vocational training – With prior authorization for medical treatment or vocational retraining, when a worker must travel more than fifteen miles one-way from the worker’s home to the nearest point of adequate treatment or vocational retraining. Travel expenses will not be paid if a worker seeks treatment with a provider outside the fifteen-mile home radius when adequate treatment is available inside the home area.
Out-of-State Injured Workers
- Payment for some travel costs may be considered if travel is pre-approved by your claim manager.
L&I Travel Reimbursement Rules
The L&I travel reimbursement rules are at WAC 296-20-1103 and L&I Claim Expense Reimbursement.
