California Workers’ Compensation Mileage Reimbursement 2026
Understand the two 2026 mileage rates, the travel date rule, potentially reimbursable destinations and expenses, the records to keep, and what to do when preparing a 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 prepare a mileage reimbursement request
- Download the correct DWC form. Choose the version matching each travel period. For 2026, DWC lists separate forms for travel beginning January 1 and July 1.
- Complete the worker and claim details. Use the information shown on claim correspondence and check it carefully.
- List each trip. Enter the travel date, destination, purpose, and miles rather than only a grand total.
- Attach supporting records. Include parking or bridge-toll receipts and preserve appointment evidence.
- Sign, date, and copy the package. Keep the exact version sent and a record of delivery to the claims administrator or other instructed recipient.
If a request is disputed, delayed, or only partly paid, compare the response with the trip log and supporting evidence. California DWC’s Information and Assistance Unit provides general help to injured workers and other participants; case-specific legal questions may require qualified advice.
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 Information and Assistance Unit — official assistance resources and district-office access.
Content last reviewed: August 25, 2026. Verify the current form and rate before submitting a request.