Does NJ Workers' Compensation Cover Medical Transportation?
Yes. New Jersey workers' compensation law requires employers (and their insurance carriers) to cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for injured workers — and this explicitly includes transportation to and from those appointments. This covers doctor visits, physical therapy, specialist consultations, diagnostic imaging, and any other treatment related to the work injury.
Two Types of Workers' Comp Transport Coverage
1. Mileage Reimbursement
If you drive yourself or are driven by a family member to medical appointments, you can request reimbursement for mileage at the IRS standard mileage rate. To claim reimbursement:
- Keep a log of every trip: date, starting address, destination, total miles
- Submit your mileage log to your workers' comp adjuster on a monthly basis
- Keep receipts for tolls, which are reimbursed separately
2. Arranged Medical Transportation
If you cannot drive due to your injury — for example, you had surgery on your right leg or arm — you are entitled to have the workers' comp carrier arrange and pay for medical transportation directly. With arranged transport, you pay nothing upfront; the NEMT provider bills the carrier directly.
How to Get Workers' Comp Transport Authorized
- Notify your adjuster: Contact your workers' compensation adjuster and explain you cannot self-transport. Request that they arrange transportation. Get authorization in writing.
- Provide your appointment schedule: For ongoing physical therapy, ask for standing authorization for the duration of the therapy course.
- Confirm the authorized provider: Workers' comp carriers sometimes have preferred NEMT providers. Ask your adjuster which providers are authorized.
- Obtain medical necessity documentation: If the adjuster challenges the need for arranged transport, your treating physician can document that you are physically unable to self-transport.
Common Workers' Comp Transport Pitfalls
- Using an unauthorized provider: Some carriers require pre-authorization of the specific NEMT provider; using an unauthorized provider may result in a denied claim
- Missing reimbursement deadlines: NJ workers' comp has specific deadlines for filing reimbursement claims
- Disputes over vehicle type: If a wheelchair van is required but the carrier disputes medical necessity, your doctor's documentation is critical
Delta Medical Transportation works with workers' comp carriers in New Jersey. Contact us to confirm whether your carrier is in our network or call (973) 389-3110. We serve injured workers throughout all of New Jersey.