California Workers’ Comp Mileage Reimbursement 2026
Check the two 2026 mileage rates, identify potentially reimbursable travel and follow the California DWC steps for documenting and sending a reimbursement request.
California workers’ comp mileage rates in 2026
California uses two medical-mileage rates in 2026. Travel from January 1 through June 30 is reimbursed at 72.5 cents per mile. Eligible travel on or after July 1 uses 76 cents per mile. DWC states that the travel date controls regardless of when the injury occurred.
| Travel period | Rate per mile | 100-mile reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 onward | $0.76 | $76.00 |
| January 1–June 30, 2026 | $0.725 | $72.50 |
| Calendar year 2025 | $0.70 | $70.00 |
| Calendar year 2024 | $0.67 | $67.00 |
What medical travel can be reimbursable?
DWC describes reasonable travel to and from doctors, hospitals, therapy, and pharmacies for treatment of a work injury. Its 2026 announcements also expressly cover medical-legal travel. A trip should be tied to the work-injury claim and the treatment or evaluation purpose should be identifiable.
Treatment-related travel
Examples can include authorized treating appointments, specialist care, hospital services, physical therapy, and pharmacy trips connected to treatment.
Medical-legal travel
Travel for a qualifying medical-legal evaluation can use the applicable mileage rate. Keep the appointment notice and identify the evaluator and purpose.
Routine commuting, unrelated personal errands, and unsupported travel should not be assumed reimbursable merely because a workers’ compensation claim exists. If one journey combines purposes, preserve enough detail for the claims administrator to evaluate the claimed portion.
How to document the route and mileage
The official expense form is organized by individual trips. For each entry, record the date, destination or facility, travel purpose, and round-trip miles. Retain appointment notices, visit summaries, pharmacy records, or similar evidence that connects the trip to the claim.
- Use the actual eligible origin and destination
- State whether the mileage entered is round trip
- Avoid counting the same leg twice
- Keep a consistent route record when the distance may be questioned
- Separate trips that fall under different effective rates
- Preserve the completed log before sending it
Parking and bridge toll reimbursement
DWC’s consolidated benefits page includes parking and bridge tolls within reasonable transportation expenses. Record these separately from mileage and keep receipts. The mileage rate itself is intended for miles driven; adding a parking charge or qualifying bridge toll does not change the per-mile calculation.
Do not automatically add unrelated road charges, fines, vehicle repairs, fuel, or ordinary commuting costs. The official DWC materials cited here specifically identify mileage, parking, and bridge tolls.
How to claim California workers’ comp mileage reimbursement
This guide explains the rules and submission sequence. Use the mileage calculator to check the arithmetic and the form walkthrough for line-by-line help with the official document.
- Choose the form that matches the travel date. Use the 72.5-cent form for trips from January 1 through June 30, 2026, and the 76-cent form for trips on or after July 1, 2026. Split a log that crosses July 1.
- Complete the worker and claim fields. Enter the injured worker’s name and workers’ compensation claim number as shown on claim correspondence.
- Record each trip separately. For every line, enter the travel date, starting address, destination or medical provider, and round-trip miles.
- Calculate mileage and list other travel costs. Multiply the total miles by the rate printed on the selected form. Record parking, bridge tolls, public transportation, and other travel-related costs separately when applicable.
- Attach receipts, then sign and date the form. The official form directs the worker to attach receipts for these expenses.
- Send the original to the insurance company and keep a copy. DWC says not to send the original or a copy to the local Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or an Information and Assistance officer. Preserve proof of delivery when available.
The current DWC form instructs the worker to contact a Division of Workers’ Compensation Information and Assistance officer. Use the official I&A directory; do not send the reimbursement form to that office unless DWC gives different instructions for the matter.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the California rate change in July 2026?
DWC announced that the rate increased by 3.5 cents to 76 cents per mile and explained that California’s medical-mileage rate is tied to the rate established by the IRS under the cited state provisions.
Can an older injury use the 2026 rate?
Yes, for otherwise eligible travel in 2026. The applicable rate follows the travel date, regardless of the injury date.
Are trips to the pharmacy included?
DWC’s benefits page lists reasonable travel to and from a pharmacy among the treatment destinations that can be payable.
Can I claim parking without mileage?
DWC identifies parking as a reasonable transportation expense category. Whether a specific charge is payable depends on its connection to eligible travel and the supporting record.
What if the official form does not cover my travel year?
DWC instructs users who need an unlisted year to contact the Information and Assistance Unit at the closest WCAB district office.
Does the insurer have to accept the distance from an online map?
The cited DWC pages do not make an online map automatically controlling. Preserve the route evidence, explain the origin and destination, and address any reasonableness dispute with the claims administrator or appropriate assistance.
Official sources
- DWC workers’ compensation benefits — transportation entitlement, destinations, expense categories, and rates.
- DWC mileage increase effective July 1, 2026 — new 76-cent rate and travel-date rule.
- DWC mileage increase effective January 1, 2026 — first-half rate of 72.5 cents.
- DWC medical mileage expense forms — forms organized by travel period.
- DWC form for travel on or after July 1, 2026 — 76-cent rate and official submission instructions.
- DWC form for travel beginning January 1, 2026 — 72.5-cent rate and official submission instructions.
- DWC Information and Assistance Unit — official assistance resources and district-office access.
Content last reviewed: October 6, 2026. Verify the current form and rate before submitting a request.