Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Update: New Mileage Reimbursement Rate

Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Update: New Mileage Reimbursement Rate

By Jenna Macnair on February 15, 2022

Effective January 1, 2022, the mileage rate has increased to $0.585/mile. That’s an increase of 11.5 cents per mile.

For over 10 years (since August 1, 2011) the mileage reimbursement rate was $0.47/mile. A recent revision to the Comprehensive Travel Regulations Policy adopted the IRS business standard mileage rate as the reimbursement rate of the State. The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s announcement can be found here.

An injured worker is entitled to mileage reimbursement for travel to an authorized medical provider located outside a radius of fifteen (15) miles from the worker’s residence or workplace. The reimbursement is owed only when requested.

The new rate has a dollar amount with three decimal places. Employers may be wondering what to do if an injured worker submits a reimbursement request for an odd number of miles – how do I pay a half a cent? We recommend rounding up. Otherwise, you’re underpaying.

Employers should also keep in mind that the injured worker’s travel date, not the reimbursement request date, controls the rate paid. Only travel on or after the January 1, 2022 effective date are subject to this increased mileage reimbursement rate. 

Disclaimer. This blog has been prepared for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to create, and receipt or review of it does not create or constitute, an attorney-client relationship between you and us, and you should not act or rely on any information in this blog without seeking the advice of an attorney.