What am I entitled to in mileage in SC:
In SC, claimant’s are to be reimbursed by the WC insurance carrier for mileage they drive to and from doctors’ appointments. Mileage rates vary from year to year depending on the price of oil and gas. They are set by the SC WCC on January 1. They are currently 70 cents per mile. Mileage and Travel Expense Reimbursement | Workers’ Compensation Commission If you visit the Commission website, you can see what they were for each of the preceding years back to 2000.
A trip must be greater than 5 miles one way to be submitted for reimbursement. In addition to trips to medical appointments, you can also submit for reimbursements for pharmacy visits that are more than 10 miles from your home address. The carrier will check all the submissions, so it is best to use a mapping app to get exact numbers.
When am I entitled to be reimbursed for mileage:
That date is not set in stone. Technically mileage is due immediately after it has been driven but carriers often delay. Typically, we have clients fill out logs with 20 entries to submit to the carriers. That way the carrier is not overwhelmed with submissions, and we can keep track of what has been submitted and paid. Settlement is a time when any unpaid mileage can be added up and demanded.
Mileage is not something an attorney takes a fee on. It is paid directly to the claimant separately from the settlement.
Other covered costs:
If you have to stay out-of-town for medical treatment, hotels and meals are eligible for reimbursement as well. You must keep all receipts as documentation and then submit to the carrier. The carrier will not pay you in advance for these expenses.
As with any aspect of your claim, if you are having difficulty getting the benefits you deserve, contact us today. Katharine Phipps, LLC – Greenville Workers’ Compensation Attorney | Katharine Phipps LLC