All travel expenses related to medical treatment
are reportable costs to Washington State Labor and Industries
(WAC 296-15-221. This policy is to ensure these
costs are reported correctly and to ensure there is
no hardship to the injured worker. Injured workers
shall be reimbursed pursuant to applicable Washington
State Labor and Industries regulations or pursuant to
the current rates and amounts set for Government employees
in the Federal Travel Regulations (www.gsa.gov),
whichever provides greater benefit to the worker.
If medically necessary for an injured worker to be
accompanied by another person during the workers travel,
the companion’s travel and per diem shall also be reimbursed
pursuant to the applicable rates, as specified in the
above paragraph. The companion, if he/she is an
employee of a DOE Hanford prime contractor or teaming
partner, shall also be reimbursed for wages lost during
travel. Lost wages for a companion who is not
employed by a DOE Hanford prime contractor or teaming
partner shall not be reimbursed.
- All costs associated with airline travel are
coordinated through Travel Leaders and these costs
are billed directly to Penser.
- Injured workers shall be reimbursed at the applicable
per diem rate, and not be required to provide receipts
for food.
- Airline charges for necessary luggage will be
reimbursed with the submission of a corresponding
receipt.
- Parking charges are reimbursed with submission
of a corresponding receipt.
- If a travel advance is needed the injured worker
must provided Penser with a request for travel advance
no less then five business days from the date of
their travel.
Once medical appointment dates have been confirmed,
Penser will provide a letter to the injured worker advising
them of facilities with whom Penser has direct billing
relationships and the above requirements.