Under sections 41 and 43 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, WorkSafeNB provides medical aid and rehabilitation benefits as necessary and sufficient to help workers return to work and to assist in lessening or removing any handicap resulting from the work-related injury.
This includes helping workers pay for travel expenses incurred while travelling for claim-related reasons when the expenses exceed those generally incurred in day-to-day living. Payments are intended to offset additional costs that a worker may incur while travelling.
Payments may include, but are not limited to, transportation, accommodation, meals, and associated child/dependant care expenses.
This policy outlines when payments will be made to workers travelling for claim-related reasons, including:
The policy also outlines criteria for travel benefits related to:
Appointments and meetings
1. Appointments and meetings include:
Transportation
2. When workers are expected to travel for appointments or meetings, WorkSafeNB reimburses transportation costs based on the actual distance travelled after exceeding the exclusion zone by the most reasonably direct route. For clarity, WorkSafeNB will not pay for transportation where the distance travelled is less than the exclusion zone.
3. WorkSafeNB calculates transportation costs using the following formula:
Transportation costs = (Actual distance travelled – exclusion zone) x the transportation rate.
4. For the current transportation rate see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
Travel within New Brunswick
5. For travel within New Brunswick that exceeds the exclusion zone, the above formula is used to determine the amount payable, regardless of whether the worker chooses to travel by some other transportation method, unless the worker’s needs and condition warrants using an alternative mode of transportation (see “Alternative modes of transportation” below).
Travel outside New Brunswick
6. For travel outside New Brunswick that exceeds the exclusion zone, WorkSafeNB arranges (or pre-approves) and pays for the worker’s transportation. When doing so, WorkSafeNB uses the most cost-effective and suitable means available.
7. If WorkSafeNB recommends that a worker travel outside the province by car, the worker is reimbursed for transportation costs using the same formula and transportation rate outlined above.
8. WorkSafeNB reimburses workers at cost for pre-approved transportation by bus, taxi, train, ferry, or plane. Receipts are required.
9. When a worker chooses to travel by means other than that approved by WorkSafeNB, WorkSafeNB pays the lesser of:
Alternative modes of transportation
10.When workers are unable to drive due to their injury or have a legitimate need to travel by an alternative mode of transportation, WorkSafeNB may approve and pay for an alternative mode of transportation (e.g. taxi, ambulance, plane, etc.).
11. In situations where personal use of a motor vehicle is not possible, workers are required to use the most appropriate and cost-effective mode of transportation (e.g. bus, taxi, etc.).
12. Before approving or paying for an alternative mode of transportation, WorkSafeNB:
13. The use of alternative modes of transportation must be pre-authorized by WorkSafeNB, except in the case of a medical emergency.
Carpooling
14. If workers drive together, or with an attendant or companion, only the driver of the vehicle may claim transportation expenses.
Other Transportation Expenses
15. Expenses are paid at cost for ferries, road and bridge tolls, and parking fees. Receipts are required.
Accommodation
16. WorkSafeNB may pay for accommodations for workers who stay away from home overnight to attend appointments or meetings. For the payment of accommodations, the threshold of 80 km in one direction must be met.
17. If the worker does not accept the recommended travel option, (i.e., travelling or staying overnight) WorkSafeNB reimburses the worker for the costs of the lesser of:
Travel within New Brunswick
18. When workers are asked to stay overnight at a location within New Brunswick, they are reimbursed their accommodation costs up to the negotiated rate. Receipts are required.
19. For more information see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
20. When WorkSafeNB or workers make hotel reservations, WorkSafeNB rates should be requested. WorkSafeNB will provide any required documentation to confirm the worker is travelling to the area for a claim-related appointment or meeting.
21.WorkSafeNB assists with accommodation arrangements if the worker requests assistance.
Travel outside New Brunswick
22. If a worker is asked to stay overnight at a location outside of New Brunswick, WorkSafeNB pays the full cost of the accommodations (room-rate plus applicable tax). Receipts are required.
23. WorkSafeNB arranges out-of-province accommodations for workers. However, in some cases, WorkSafeNB may request workers to book their own accommodations. When making hotel reservations, workers should request WorkSafeNB rates where possible.
24. In all cases, WorkSafeNB must approve the costs of accommodation before the stay takes place.
If no receipt is submitted
25. Workers who do not provide accommodation receipts will not be reimbursed.
Meals
26. WorkSafeNB may pay a daily meal amount to workers who travel to appointments or meetings and are not at home over meal hours. The amount may be paid in part or in full as circumstances warrant. For current rates, see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
Training and return-to work programs
27. Workers may be required to travel to attend training programs or to participate in return-to-work programs. This may cause a worker to have additional travel expenses exceeding their pre-accident work-related travel expenses. WorkSafeNB helps workers pay for these additional expenses.
28. In determining expenses, WorkSafeNB considers factors such as whether the training or return-to-work program is within or away from a worker’s home area, and whether it is short-term or long-term in nature.
Training programs
Home area vs. away
29. The “home area” is the area within which WorkSafeNB expects a worker to commute to a training program. WorkSafeNB considers travel within 80 kms in one direction from the worker’s home to be the worker’s home area.
Training in the home area
30. Workers attending training programs in their home area are reimbursed for their transportation costs only, using the same formula as travel for appointments and meetings (distance travelled minus the exclusion zone multiplied by the transportation rate). For the current transportation rate, see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
Training away from home area
31. Workers attending training programs away from their home area are also entitled to expense reimbursement. How this is calculated depends on whether the program is:
In either case, WorkSafeNB works with workers to secure suitable, cost-effective living arrangements.
Short-term training programs away from home area
32. WorkSafeNB pays travel expenses to workers attending short-term training programs away from their home area in the same manner as workers travelling to attend appointments and meetings. Expenses are covered as follows:
33. WorkSafeNB recognizes it may be difficult for workers to secure an apartment for short-term training periods. This is considered when determining payment for accommodations.
For current rates, see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
Long-term training programs away from home area
34. Workers attending long-term training programs away from their home area are entitled to a reimbursement amount to help cover the costs of daily transportation and accommodations. WorkSafeNB recognizes that workers should be able to find affordable long-term rental accommodations.
35. A reimbursement amount is paid up to a weekly maximum. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement. For the current rates, see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
36. In addition to the above reimbursement amount payable for daily transportation and accommodations, WorkSafeNB also provides workers attending a long-term training program away from their home area with an amount for meals that is equal to 50% of the meal per diem. For current rates, see Fee Schedule 29-220 Claim-related Travel.
Travel between the training area and the worker’s home
37. In addition to the payments described in section “Training away from home area” above, workers in short or long-term training programs away from their home area, are entitled to payments to help cover the cost of trips home. WorkSafeNB pays costs for travel between the training facility and the worker’s home as follows:
38. If the program is outside New Brunswick, WorkSafeNB arranges (or pre-approves) the worker’s transportation. When doing so, WorkSafeNB uses the most cost-effective and suitable means available.
39. WorkSafeNB may authorize and pay for additional return trips home if a worker’s needs and individual circumstances justify this expense.
Return-to-work programs
40. WorkSafeNB pays transportation costs to workers who participate in WorkSafeNB approved return-to-work programs, if attending the program causes the worker to have additional expenses that exceed normal pre-accident work-related travel expenses.
41. For example, a worker who carpooled prior to an accident may be unable to carpool while on a return-to-work program due to the unusual hours of the program. As a result, this worker may have additional travel expenses as long as carpooling is unavailable.
Attendants and companions
42. WorkSafeNB authorizes a companion or attendant to travel with a worker, or to be present with a worker who is admitted to hospital as a result of the compensable injury when a companion or attendants’ presence is:
43. WorkSafeNB pays authorized attendants/companions’ travel expenses under this policy, in the same manner as it pays workers’ expenses.
44. WorkSafeNB does not normally reimburse any lost wages an attendant/companion may experience. However, WorkSafeNB-authorized personal care attendants hired to assist workers at home are paid a fee for services as outlined in Policy 25-003 Home Care and Independence.
Child/dependant care expenses
45. WorkSafeNB reimburses workers to help offset additional child/dependant care expenses:
Payments are made according to Fee Schedule 29-223 Child/Dependant Care Expenses. Receipts are required.
Advances
46. Where it will avoid financial hardship, travel expenses may be paid in advance. Workers are required to submit receipts for accommodations and alternate pre-approved transportation (e.g. taxis, buses) at the conclusion of the travel period. All receipts should be submitted to WorkSafeNB within 30 calendar days.
47. Money paid in advance in excess of the actual travel expense incurred is considered an overpayment and the worker is required to repay the overpayment in full. For more information, see Policy 21-290 Recovery of Claim-related Overpayments.
Exceptional cases
48. WorkSafeNB will consider exceptional circumstances, including financial and medical need, on a case-by-case basis and may pre-approve expenses beyond what is provided by this policy.
49. For example, if the required 80 km in one direction threshold for reimbursement of accommodation expenses has not been met, WorkSafeNB will consider paying if:
Exclusion zone – the distance of 20 kms per day within which no transportation expenses are paid. This corresponds to the average pre-injury distance a worker is likely to have travelled for employment.
Health-care provider – practitioner or facility, either within or outside the province, which delivers health care and related services.
Medical aid – includes medical, surgical and dental aid, hospital and skilled nursing services, services of a registered chiropractor within the chiropractor’s legal jurisdiction, artificial members and apparatus including the repair and replacement thereof, transportation, clothing allowances with respect to damage caused to clothing as a result of the use of an artificial apparatus or as a result of any accident, and such other treatment, services or attendance as are necessary as a result of any injury. (Workers’ Compensation Act)
Negotiated rate – a fixed rate for accommodation that has been agreed upon between WorkSafeNB and a service provider for provision of accommodations for workers.