October 1, 2019 | Workers' compensation

If you have been hurt at work, you may know that you’re paid for your time off because of the accident and that your medical expenses are paid without a co-pay. However, there are a few additional benefits that you may not know about, and the insurance company is not going to tell you about them. This post discusses those benefits and what you can to do claim them from the insurance company.

Mileage. You’re entitled to mileage for travel to and from medical appointments and to obtain your prescriptions or other necessary items. The reimbursement rate per mile is based on the Federal mileage rate. For 2019, that is $0.58 per mile. You can check the current rate here.

The best way to obtain mileage benefits is to keep track of your mileage for medical appointments and pharmacy visits. At a minimum, your log should include the date of travel, where you started, where you went, and the total miles traveled. Then you can submit your log to the adjuster to claim reimbursement. Having those details reduces the reasons they might find to deny your claim for mileage. Keeping track of and being reimbursed for mileage is an effective way to recoup the costs of your injury that you may not have thought of.

Prescription reimbursement. You’re entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. Often the doctor will prescribe medication for a work injury in an initial visit and the adjuster has not yet set up a prescription card or authorization to have that filled. Still, you need the medication, so you pay for it out of pocket and/or through your health insurance. You can receive reimbursement for those expenses by submitting them to the adjuster.

The best way to obtain reimbursement is to send a copy of the receipt that shows the date the prescription was filled, the amount you paid, and what the medication is. That will provide the adjuster all he or she needs to confirm that the expense should be reimbursed. If you have a copy of the prescription your doctor filled out or the note where the medication was recommended, that can help in getting reimbursed.

Medical supplies and devices (like splints, braces, etc.). You’re entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs if you have to purchase medical supplies or devices to help you heal from a work injury. The most important thing is that the supply or device has to be recommended by your doctor for treatment of the work injury. If it is, you can obtain reimbursement for what you paid for the supplies or device.

The best way to obtain reimbursement is to make sure your doctor recommends the supply or device in writing. Then you can give that written recommendation to the adjuster along with a copy of the receipt that shows what you paid for the device and what the device was (like a wrist splint for carpal tunnel).

These three benefits are ones that many injured workers do not know are available, but the small expenses and gas for medical appointments can really add up. Knowing your rights and what information is necessary to make a claim are the first steps in recouping these often-ignored costs, which you do not have to take on when you’re hurt at work.

If you have question about requesting mileage or expense reimbursements, give us a call 402-933-3345.