Short answer: Yes. New York workers’ compensation reimburses you for driving to and from medical care for your work injury. For trips on or after July 1, 2026, the rate is 76 cents per mile (72.5 cents for trips from January 1 through June 30, 2026). You request it on Form C-257, sent to the insurance carrier with a copy to the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Medical and Transportation Reimbursement
You are entitled to mileage reimbursement for medically-related travel expenses for your workers’ compensation injury. This includes travel to and from the doctors, IME appointments (including travel to pick up X-Rays, MRIs, etc. for IME exams), physical therapy, or visits to other medical practitioners. IT DOES NOT COVER travel to pick up prescriptions, meet with your attorney, or to look for work.
How much does workers’ comp pay for mileage? The current rates:
| Start Date | Rate (¢/mile) | Start Date | Rate (¢/mile) |
| 1-1-18 | 54.5 | 1-1-23 | 65.5 |
| 1-1-19 | 58.0 | 1-1-24 | 67.0 |
| 1-1-20 | 57.5 | 1-1-25 | 70.0 |
| 1-1-21 | 56.0 | 1-1-26 | 72.5 |
| 1-1-22 | 58.5 | 7-1-26 | 76.0 |
| 7-1-22 | 62.5 | 1-1-27 or later | use Fed business rate |
The WCB mileage rates follow the federal business mileage available here.
The Board announced the mid-year increase to 76 cents in Subject Number 150-18.1R (August 4, 2026). The rate that applies is the one in effect on the date you made the trip.
To Request Reimbursement for Medically Related Travel Expenses For Your NY Workers’ Compensation Injury
- Write the dates, the name and address of the medical provider, and the round trip mileage on a modified C-257 form along with your identifying information such as name, case number, etc. If you are good with computers you can also use this Excel spreadsheet to calculate your mileage.
- Calculate the amount of reimbursement you are requesting by multiplying the roundtrip mileage by the appropriate mileage reimbursement rate.
- Please note that when the carrier audits your request they will look in your Board file and if the provider has not submitted a bill or report for a specific date they will most likely deny reimbursement for any dates they cannot verify. Carriers often calculate mileage via MapQuest or a similar program so their calculations may differ slightly from yours.
Submit Your Workers’ Compensation Mileage Reimbursement Request
- SEND A COPY OF YOUR REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST DIRECTLY TO THE INSURANCE CARRIER.
- Your adjuster’s contact information can be found by logging into eCase, then clicking on the FROI/SROI tab, and then scrolling to the bottom.
- If you do not receive payment within 2 months or do not receive the full amount of your request with an explanation of what hasn’t been paid, reach out to the carrier. If they do not respond, please call or email.
- Send a copy to the Workers’ Compensation Board
- Keep a copy of your reimbursement request for your records. If you don’t keep a copy, you run the risk that the insurance company will lose the copy you sent and you will have to start your reimbursement request from scratch.
If you do not have a vehicle available to you, you may be entitled to be reimbursed for taxis and/or any other needed forms of transportation. Please discuss this with us. Please make sure you keep receipts and list those expenses on the C-257 form.
Other Reimbursements
You are also entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses including medications, medical equipment, etc., prescribed for your work-related injury, up to the amount allowed by the Workers’ Compensation Pharmaceutical Fee Schedule, available at https://www.wcb.ny.gov under health care providers, and fee schedules. Your doctor must get most prescriptions pre-approved or the carrier may not have to pay. Most carriers will issue you a prescription card because it costs them less if prescriptions are purchased as part of their plan. If the carrier has given you a prescription card, the carrier may not have to reimburse you for prescriptions purchased outside of that plan.
Over the counter medications and medications that are not related to an established work-related injury are not covered under Compensation.
Mileage reimbursement questions
Does workers’ comp pay for mileage in New York?
Yes, for travel to and from medical care for your work injury: doctor visits, physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and independent medical exams (IMEs) scheduled by the insurance carrier. It does not cover trips to pick up prescriptions, to meet with your attorney, or to look for work.
How much does NY workers’ comp pay per mile?
76 cents per mile for trips on or after July 1, 2026; 72.5 cents for trips from January 1 through June 30, 2026; and 70 cents for trips in 2025. Multiply the round-trip miles by the rate in effect on the date of each trip.
What form do I use?
Form C-257, the Claimant’s Record of Medical and Travel Expenses. List each trip separately with the date, the provider’s name and address, and the round-trip miles. Send it to the insurance carrier, send a copy to the Board, and keep a copy for yourself.
How long does it take to get paid?
If you have not been paid within about two months, or the carrier paid less without explaining why, contact the adjuster. If the carrier does not respond, call me at (607) 432-7410.
Why would the carrier deny my mileage?
The most common reason is that the carrier cannot match a date to a medical bill or report in your Board file, so check eCase before you submit. Carriers also measure distances with online maps, so expect small differences from your odometer. If a proper request is still refused, it can be raised at a hearing before a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge.
