Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 24 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Chapter 24.29 - WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE
Subchapter 24.29.14 - General Medical Rules and Facility Service Rules
Rule 24.29.1409 - TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
Universal Citation: MT Admin Rules 24.29.1409
Current through Register Vol. 18, September 20, 2024
(1) Payment of travel expense is subject to the following:
(a) Claims for travel reimbursement must be
submitted on a form provided by the insurer within 90 days of the date the
expense was incurred. After 90 days, the insurer must make reimbursement,
unless, during the 90 days that the reimbursement was available:
(i) the insurer has proof of providing
written notice to the injured worker that travel reimbursement is available;
and
(ii) the written notice stated
that a travel reimbursement claim must be submitted to the insurer within 90
days of the worker incurring the expense.
(b) The type of travel selected must be the
least costly form of travel unless the travel is not suitable for the
claimant's medical condition, as certified by the claimant's
physician.
(c) Reimbursement of
travel is excluded under the following conditions:
(i) The first 100 miles of automobile travel
are excluded each month unless the insurer requested the travel pursuant to
39-71-605, MCA.
(ii) Travel to a medical provider within the
claimant's community is excluded.
(iii) Travel outside the claimant's community
is excluded if comparable treatment is available within the community, unless
the insurer requests the claimant to travel to another community.
(iv) Travel is excluded when it is incurred
while traveling to unauthorized or disallowed treatment or
procedures.
(d) For
purposes of this rule, "community" means the area within a 15 mile radius of
the claimant's residence as determined by the most direct automobile route
between the claimant's residence and the provider.
(e) The insurer is not liable for injuries
that result from an accident that occurs during travel for treatment of the
claim as provided in
39-71-704, MCA.
(f) Reimbursement for travel expenses shall
be determined as follows:
(i) Personal
automobile and private airplane mileage expenses shall be reimbursed at the
current rates specified for state employees. Prior authorization from the
insurer is required for the use of a private airplane. Total reimbursable
automobile miles shall be determined according to the most direct highway route
between the claimant's residence and the provider.
(ii) Expenses for eligible meals shall be
reimbursed at the meal rates established for state employees.
(iii) Actual out-of-pocket receipted lodging
expenses incurred by the claimant shall be reimbursed up to the maximum amounts
established for state employees. Lodging in those areas specifically designated
as high cost cities shall be reimbursed at actual cost. Any claim for receipted
or high cost lodging reimbursement must be accompanied by a receipt from a
licensed lodging facility. If the claimant fails to obtain a receipt, the
reimbursement is the amount set for state employees.
(iv) Miscellaneous transportation expenses,
such as taxi fares or parking fees, are reimbursable and must be supported by
paid receipts.
(2) Preauthorized expenses incurred for direct commercial transportation by air or ground, including rental vehicles, shall be reimbursed when no other less costly form of travel is available to the claimant, or when less costly forms of travel are not suitable to the claimant's medical condition, as certified by the claimant's physician.
(a) If a claimant chooses to use commercial
transportation when a less costly form of travel suitable to the claimant's
medical condition is available, as certified by the claimant's physician,
reimbursement shall be made according to the rates associated with the least
costly form of travel.
AUTH: 39-71-203, MCA IMP: 39-71-704, MCA
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Montana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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