OWCP Mileage Reimbursement
The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) will reimburse federal employees for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in connection with medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness. This includes mileage reimbursement for travel between the federal employee’s residence or work location and the medical office or facility where the treatment is being received.
The OWCP will generally only reimburse for the distance traveled between the employee’s residence or work location and the medical provider’s office or facility where the treatment is being received. However, the OWCP may also reimburse for lodging and meals if the medical provider is located outside of the employee’s local area and the travel is considered reasonable and necessary.
To be eligible for mileage reimbursement, the employee must:
- Be a federal employee
- Have a work-related injury or illness that has been accepted by the OWCP
- Travel to a medical provider’s office or facility for treatment of the work-related injury or illness
- Keep a record of the mileage traveled, including the starting and ending points of the trip, the date of the trip, and the purpose of the trip
The OWCP will reimburse the employee at the current federal mileage rate, which is currently 58 cents per mile. Reimbursements are typically made by check and can take several weeks to process.
Here are some additional rules for OWCP mileage reimbursement:
- The employee must use the most direct route possible when traveling to the medical provider’s office or facility.
- The employee must travel by the most economical means possible. This means that the employee should generally travel by public transportation, if available.
- The employee must keep a record of all receipts for travel expenses, including gas receipts, parking fees, and tolls.
- The employee must submit a completed OWCP Form CA-2, along with all supporting documentation, to the OWCP to request reimbursement for mileage expenses.
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice. Best DOL Doctors is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or OWCP. See our editorial policy.