L&I — Travel Reimbursement

What Is Covered Under L&I Travel Reimbursement?

Travel reimbursement is for expenses incurred in connection with medical treatment and must be pre-authorized. Workers’ compensation travel reimbursement will be provided if:

• Your medical treatment is with an L&I-approved provider.
• The provider is further than 15 miles one way from your home (30 miles round trip).
• The Travel Reimbursement Request form is complete, including a copy of all expense receipts.
• You needed to pay for parking over $10, tolls, and some other travel expenses.

Qualified Travel Expenses

Travel reimbursement could be paid in connection with medical treatment if they are pre-authorized. The current allowed rates can be found on L&I’s Reimbursement Rates for Lodging, Meals, and Privately-Owned Vehicle Mileage form. Some of the items that you may be reimbursed for include the following:

• Mileage
• Bus or train fare
• Fuel costs
• Parking fees (over $10)
• Tolls
• Food
• Lodging
• Lost wages

Travel Out of State

Travel reimbursement could be paid in connection with medical treatment out of state if it is pre-authorized.

What Is Not Covered under L&I Travel Reimbursement?

L&I will often deny requests for workers’ compensation travel reimbursement if you:

• Do not receive preauthorization by your L&I Claims Manager.
• Are within 15 miles of an L&I-approved medical provider but choose not to see that provider.
• Are traveling only to pick up prescription medication.

It is important to note that L&I never reimburses for the first and last 15 miles of the trip — so you are only able to get reimbursed for each mile after mile 31.

If you meet the criteria for workers’ compensation travel reimbursement, make sure to keep detailed records of all of your travel expenses.