| JCC Grindal (St. Petersburg) (Scott Miller)(12-15-23) – Denied reimbursement for travel expenses. Compensable accident which rendered the claimant a tetraplegic, requiring 24-hour attendant care. The claimant traveled to Nevada for a family vacation and sought reimbursement for his nurses’ hotel and airfare, Hoyer lift rental, and handicap van rental while in Nevada. The issue framed by the claimant was whether the need for the trip itself was reasonable, medically necessary and causally related to the IA. Dr. Patel, the authorized pain management physician, opined that trip was medically necessary, as the claimant would benefit from decreased blood pressure and other cardiac factors for which he is at high risk as a tetraplegic. The JCC found that, while the trip may be beneficial to the claimant’s general well-being, it is not medically necessary treatment and, therefore, the claimed travel costs are not the carrier’s responsibility. Click here to view Order |