Travel to a QME or Medical-Legal Exam: Documenting California Workers’ Comp Mileage

Review the primary official source.

Travel costs are easy to lose in an otherwise well-documented claim. A usable mileage request identifies why the trip was required, when it occurred, how the distance was calculated, and which published rate applies.

Confirm the trip is claim-related

Keep the appointment notice and identify whether the trip was for treatment, a QME or AME examination, pharmacy travel, or another authorized claim purpose. Do not combine personal errands with claimed mileage without separating the distances.

Use the rate for the travel date

DWC publishes mileage forms by year and announced a 72.5-cent rate for qualifying travel on or after January 1, 2026. Use the form and rate applicable to the actual date of travel, not the date the reimbursement request is mailed.

Create a contemporaneous log

Record date, origin, destination, purpose, round-trip miles, parking, and tolls. Save receipts where available and note the mapping method used. For repeated treatment, update the log after each trip rather than reconstructing months of travel later.

Submit and preserve proof

Send the completed request to the appropriate claims contact and keep a copy with transmission evidence. If payment is incomplete, compare the response with the trip log and identify the exact omitted line or rate. A mileage dispute should not be allowed to obscure a separate treatment or examination deadline.