Travel expenses for going to a doctor
One of the most common questions we get is, "Does the insurance company have to pay me for the gas money I use going to and from my doctor appointments?"
It's a great question that has somewhat of a gray area answer. I understand why people would want this paid. When you are seeing the doctor a lot, especially for those of you in physical therapy, it can cost a lot to make all of those visits. This is especially true for our clients that are in central and southern Illinois or other rural areas where there aren't a lot of choices.
So, is this expense reimbursable?
If you can show that travel to an out of town doctor is necessary because the type of treatment you need isn't available in your local area then you have a shot at it. In a recent case at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, a worker won benefits because she had to travel more than 40 miles to see an expert. This was someone who lived in a remote area and traveled to Mt. Vernon. There was no orthopedic doctor in her area that was an option.
Interestingly enough, in the same case the injured worker was denied expense for travel to get a MRI and physical therapy. Although she had the right to choose facilities that were farther away, there were places she could have received this treatment much closer to where she lives.
The biggest problem in these cases is that most insurance companies won't voluntarily pay these expenses. Many lawyers are too lazy to file a trial motion over this issue or don't deem it worth it. We handle it on a case by case basis, but will usually at least file a penalties petition to put some pressure on the insurance company to do the right thing.
As a worker, you should make sure to keep accurate records of every trip to and from your doctor if you wish to claim a reimbursement.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
