dwc form-048 is the Texas form an injured worker uses to ask the insurance carrier to pay back the cost of travel for medical care. You fill it out yourself and send it to the insurance carrier, not to the state. If you drive a long way for doctor visits, therapy, or tests, those trips add up fast. That matters when you are hurt and money is tight. This guide explains what the form does, when to use it, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What the Dwc Form-048 Is For
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) publishes the dwc form-048. Its official title is “Request to Get Reimbursed for Travel Costs.” Typically, workers use it to get money back for trips to medical care for an accepted work injury. For example, trips to a treating doctor, a specialist, or physical therapy may count. You can find it on the official TDI list of DWC forms by number.
However, not every trip qualifies. Texas rules generally look at how far you traveled. They also look at whether similar care was available closer to home. We do not list a mile count or a cents-per-mile rate here, because those figures can change. Instead, confirm the current distance rule and mileage rate with TDI-DWC before you file. That way your request matches the rules the carrier will use to review it.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC Form-048 |
| Form title | Request to Get Reimbursed for Travel Costs |
| Who files | The injured worker, to the insurance carrier, for medical travel |
| Where filed | The insurance carrier handling your workers’ comp claim |
| Fee | No fee is listed on this page. Confirm with TDI-DWC. |
| Agency | Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation |
| Official PDF | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/forms/dwc/dwc048trvlreim.pdf |
Who Files the Dwc Form-048 and When
The injured worker files the dwc form-048. Your doctor does not file it, and neither does your employer. A family member may help you fill it out. However, the request is yours, and it goes to the insurance carrier. If you have not started a claim yet, first read how to file a Texas workers comp claim. Travel pay generally depends on having a claim in place.
In most cases, workers send a request after a trip or after a group of trips. Some people send one each month. That keeps the amounts smaller and easier to track. It also means you are not waiting months for money you have already spent on gas.
A simple habit helps a lot. Keep a travel log in a notebook or on your phone. Write down the date, where you started, where you went, and why. As a result, filling out the form later takes minutes, not hours.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The form typically asks for three kinds of information. First, it asks about you and your claim, such as your name and claim number. Second, it asks about each trip, such as the date, the health care provider, and the distance. Third, it asks for your signature. Read every section on the official form before you start. If a box does not apply to you, follow the form’s instructions rather than guessing.
Common reasons a request gets delayed or denied include:
- A missing or wrong claim number.
- Trip dates that do not match your medical appointments.
- Trips for care that is not part of your accepted injury.
- No signature on the form.
- Sending the form to TDI-DWC instead of the carrier.
Send the completed dwc form-048 to your insurance carrier, usually to your adjuster. Ask your adjuster how they want it sent. Some carriers accept mail, fax, or email. Always keep a copy and note the date you sent it. You can download the official PDF here: DWC Form-048 official PDF from TDI. Use the current version from TDI rather than an old copy saved months ago.
What Happens After You File
The carrier reviews your dwc form-048. It may pay the full amount, pay part of it, or deny it. Typically, the carrier should explain any cut or denial in writing. Read that letter closely. It often tells you exactly what was missing or why a trip did not qualify. Sometimes the fix is simple, like adding a missing date or claim number.
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If you disagree with the decision, you have options. TDI-DWC can explain the dispute process and point you to free help for injured workers. Learn more about the Texas workers comp board and the basic Texas workers comp requirements. Travel pay is separate from any income benefits or settlement. Any settlement figure you see elsewhere is illustrative only, and every case is different. Confirm the details with TDI-DWC and a licensed attorney before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I send dwc form-048 to the state or to the insurance carrier?
You send it to the insurance carrier, usually your adjuster. TDI-DWC publishes the form, but it does not process your travel payment. Sending it to the wrong place is one of the most common delays.
What if the carrier denies my dwc form-048?
Read the denial letter to see the reason. If it was a paperwork problem, you can usually correct it and send it again. If you still disagree, contact TDI-DWC about the dispute process and consider speaking with a licensed attorney.
Can I claim every trip to the doctor?
Not always. Texas rules generally cover medical travel only when certain distance and availability conditions are met. Confirm the current rule with TDI-DWC before you file your dwc form-048, so you know which trips may qualify.
Dwc form-048: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about dwc form-048, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about dwc form-048 should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about dwc form-048 that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Texas Workers Comp Board
- How to File a Texas Workers Comp Claim
- Texas Workers Comp Requirements
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.