State Legislation
Tennessee
CorVel is a national provider of industry leading workers’ compensation solutions to Tennessee payors. Incidents and injuries can be reported to our 24/7 call center, to the online claims system or via mobile apps. Reports are immediately processed by our proprietary rules engine where medical management begins immediately as needed, and the claim is assigned to a Claims Adjuster within one business day or less of initial receipt.
Our comprehensive return to work program ensures collaboration and communication with all interested parties including the injured worker, employer, human resources, medical and safety teams, and healthcare providers. We use technology, compassionate case management for employees and cost containment measures, to give Tennessee employers a superior program.
As a service to our clients, CorVel is providing links to information related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the states.
Legislature Status: Adjourned until June 1
- April 15, 2020 – The Governor announced Tennessee schools will remain closed the rest of the academic year.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor issued an Executive Order extending the state’s Stay at Home Order until April 30.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor announced the development of the Economic Recovery Group to coordinate legislative leadership, local leadership, health care professionals, and industry representatives to reboot the economy.
Legislation
- HB 2915 Enacts the Coronavirus Public Protection Act of 2020. Pending.
- SJR 1265 Urges the General Assembly to provide a grant for children out of school due to coronavirus and in need of food. Adopted.
- HB 2472 Temporarily suspends, modifies, and waives the deadline or other nonacademic requirement in statute, rule, or policy of any financial aid program in response to the coronavirus public health emergency. Enacted.
- HB 2815 Authorizes the governing body of the city of Crossville to allow participation in public meetings by electronic or other means, as necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Pending.
- HB 2818 Upon approval of the state board of education, allows a waiver of a state board rule or statute that inhibits or hinders a local education agency’s ability to meet a goal due solely to the outbreak of COVID-19. Directs the department of education to develop guidance, resources and opportunities for high school students who were adversely affected by school closures due to COVID-19. Enacted.
- HB 2821 Part of a larger budget bill. Appropriates $150 million to a new emergency health and safety response fund. Enacted.
COVID-19 Related Policies – 7/12/2021
32 – Amends EO 15.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General), Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Mandated Benefits
Summary:
This order amends Executive Order 15, extends certain guidelines, and suspends various requirements in response to COVID-19. See Update 5/15/2020 for full summary.
Most Recent Update:
5/1/2021 This order was issued by Governor Bill Lee (R) on May 1, 2020. This order amends Executive Order 15, extends certain guidelines, and suspends requirements in response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Related Policies – 05/15/2020
AN ORDER AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 15 AND TAKING OTHER NECESSARY MEASURES TO FACILITATE THE TREATMENT AND CONTAINMENT OF COVID-19
Issues: Mandated Benefits, Workers’ Compensation (General), Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement)
Summary:
This order amends Executive Order 15, extends certain guidelines, and suspends various requirements in response to COVID-19.
This order extends the prohibition on price gouging until May 18, 2020.
This order extends the deadline for TNInvestco annual audited financial statement reports until July 31, 2020.
This order allows the Secretary of State to provide copies of business entity filings without charge when they are sought in connection with obtaining relief from a federal or state disaster assistance program.
This order allows National Guard members to assist in the operation and security of state penitentiaries during the state of emergency under certain circumstances.
This order allows shareholders to conduct meetings remotely.
This order allows the Commissioner of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to suspend any requirement for the hiring and retention of an employee or volunteer to address staffing shortages resulting from COVID-19.
This order allows services provided by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech pathologist and delivered via telemedicine to be reimbursed as if they were delivered in-person.
This measure suspends the requirement that nurse practitioners who have been issued a certificate of fitness to write and sign prescriptions must collaborate with a physician.
This order goes into effect immediately.
Most Recent Update: This order was issued by Governor Bill Lee (R) on May 1, 2020. This order amends Executive Order 15, extends certain guidelines, and suspends requirements in response to COVID-19.
Tennessee Regulatory Updates 04/11/2024
SB 1301 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Extends the Permitted Occurrence Date, from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025, For an Injury Underlying a Workers’ Compensation Case In Which the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims Is Authorized to Award Reasonable Attorneys’ Fees and Costs If an Employer Wrongfully Denies a Claim or Fails to Timely Initiate a Benefit to Which the Employee or a Dependent Is Entitled For the Injury. – Amends Tca Section 50-6-226.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 02/01/2023
This measure is not currently in scope, we are monitoring for amendments.
Most Recent Update:
03/18/2024 – On March 18 this measure was referred to the General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee. It is eligible for consideration in the subcommittee.
Additional Outlook: This measure is a likely caption bill and may be amended at a later date.
Tennessee HB 1694 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Requires an Employer to Report to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Each Accident That Results In a Work-Related Death or Personal Injury Within 14 Calendar Days of the Date the Employer Is Notified of the Accident or Has Knowledge of the Accident, Whichever Is Earlier, Instead of Reporting Accidents at Different Intervals Based Upon the Nature of the Injury and Whether the Injured Employee Is Able to Return Within Seven Days of the Accident; and Makes Other Changes Relative to Workers’ Compensation. – Amends Tca Section 50-3-702; Title 50, Chapter 6 and Chapter 189 of the Public Acts of 2021.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 01/12/2024
This measure standardizes the reporting timeline under workers’ compensation for accidents resulting in work-related death and personal injury. It requires reports within 14 calendar days regardless of the type of accident. It sets the penalty for noncompliance, including a minimum of $1,000.
It takes effect July 1, 2024.
Most Recent Update:
03/07/2024 – This measure was signed by Governor Bill Lee (R) on March 7. It takes effect July 1, 2024.
HB 2010 – Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies – As Introduced, Increases from $50,000 to $100,000, the Amount of the Bond Running to the State That Every Insurance Company Doing a Workers’ Compensation Business In This State Must Furnish to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance; Increases from $100,000 to $200,000, the Amount That Such a Company Has on Deposit With Another State In Which the Company Is Organized and Domiciled and from Which a Certificate of That State’s Commissioner of Insurance May Be Accepted By the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance In Lieu of the Bond. – Amends Tca Title 12; Title 50 and Title 56.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 03/28/2024
This measure requires a study of insurers providing workers’ compensation coverage to local governments, including solvency, rates and bidding processes. It takes effect upon enactment.
Most Recent Update:
03/26/2024 – This measure was heard, amended and passed on March 26 in the House Insurance Committee. The amendment replaced the former substance with a study of workers’ compensation coverage for local governments.
The Tennessee legislature is meeting in person for the 2024 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by contacting the committee Chair. Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. A vote may occur at the discretion of the Chair.
Additional Outlook: The March 26 amendment replaced the former substance with a study of workers’ compensation coverage for local governments. The former summary is here for reference: “This measure increases the minimum bond for workers’ compensation insurers from $50,000 to $100,000. It also increases the deposit required for a workers’ compensation insurer based out of another state from $100,000 to $200,000. It takes effect January 1, 2025.”
SB 2094 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Requires an Employer to Report to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Each Accident That Results In a Work-Related Death or Personal Injury Within 14 Calendar Days of the Date the Employer Is Notified of the Accident or Has Knowledge of the Accident, Whichever Is Earlier, Instead of Reporting Accidents at Different Intervals Based Upon the Nature of the Injury and Whether the Injured Employee Is Able to Return Within Seven Days of the Accident; and Makes Other Changes Relative to Workers’ Compensation. – Amends Tca Section 50-3-702; Title 50, Chapter 6 and Chapter 189 of the Public Acts of 2021.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 02/08/2024
This measure standardizes the reporting timeline under workers’ compensation for accidents resulting in work-related death and personal injury. It requires reports within 14 calendar days regardless of the type of accident. It sets the penalty for noncompliance, including a minimum of $1,000. It takes effect July 1, 2024.
Most Recent Update:
03/07/2024 – This measure was substituted by HB 1694, which was signed into law on March 7. This measure will not receive further consideration.
HB 2306 – Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of – As Introduced, Requires the Department to Compile and Maintain a List of Employers That Are Self-Insured For Purposes of Workers’ Compensation; Requires the List to Be Published on the Department’s Website In a Publicly Accessible Location. – Amends Tca Title 12; Title 48; Title 50 and Title 56.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 03/19/2024
This measure establishes the “Tennessee Self-Insurers’ Guaranty Association” to provide a mechanism for the payment of self-insured workers’ compensation claims to avoid excessive delay in payment and avoid financial loss to claimants due to insolvency. This measure outlines a process for the creation of the association as a nonprofit, the formation of its board, and its specified powers and duties.
It takes effect July 1, 2024.
Most Recent Update:
03/28/2024 – This measure was sent to Governor Bill Lee (R) on March 28. The Governor has ten days, excluding Sundays, to sign or veto the measure. If the Governor takes no action on the measure, it will be enacted without a signature. If the Governor vetoes the measure, it will be sent back to its chamber of origin with a message explaining the Governor’s objections and recommendations that would remove such objections. The legislature can override the Governor’s veto with a majority vote in each chamber.
Additional Outlook: The first March 5 amendment gave this measure substance, as it was previously a caption bill. The second amendment made out of scope changes to the measure regarding governmental workers’ compensation insurance.
SB 2378 – Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies – As Introduced, Increases from $50,000 to $100,000, the Amount of the Bond Running to the State That Every Insurance Company Doing a Workers’ Compensation Business In This State Must Furnish to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance; Increases from $100,000 to $200,000, the Amount That Such a Company Has on Deposit With Another State In Which the Company Is Organized and Domiciled and from Which a Certificate of That State’s Commissioner of Insurance May Be Accepted By the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance In Lieu of the Bond. – Amends Tca Title 12; Title 50 and Title 56.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 02/09/2024
This measure increases the minimum bond for workers’ compensation insurers from $50,000 to $100,000. It also increases the deposit required for a workers’ compensation insurer based out of another state from $100,000 to $200,000. It takes effect January 1, 2025.
Most Recent Update:
03/27/2024 – This measure was heard. amended and passed on March 27 by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee in a unanimous vote. The amended text is not yet available. It is eligible for further consideration in the Senate,
SB 2909 – Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of – As Introduced, Requires the Department to Compile and Maintain a List of Employers That Are Self-Insured For Purposes of Workers’ Compensation; Requires the List to Be Published on the Department’s Website In a Publicly Accessible Location. – Amends Tca Title 12; Title 48; Title 50 and Title 56.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 03/08/2024
This measure establishes the “Tennessee Self-Insurers’ Guaranty Association” to provide a mechanism for the payment of self-insured workers’ compensation claims to avoid excessive delay in payment and avoid financial loss to claimants due to insolvency. This measure outlines a process for the creation of the association as a nonprofit, the formation of its board, and its specified powers and duties.
It takes effect July 1, 2024.
Most Recent Update:
03/21/2024 – On March 21 this measure was substituted by its companion, HB 2306.HB 2306 will be the vehicle for this measure going forward.
Additional Outlook:
This measure is the companion to HB 2306. The February 20 amendment establishes a Tennessee Self-Insurers’ Guaranty Association, replacing the previous provisions, the summary for which is here for reference: “This measure requires the state to compile, maintain, and publish online a list of self-insured employers for purposes of workers’ compensation.”
The March 5 amendment made out of scope changes to the measure regarding governmental workers’ compensation insurance.
Tennessee Regulatory Updates 2/7/2023
HB 82 –Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Makes Various Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Law. – Amends Tca Title 50, Chapter 6.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure defines “wrongfully” for purposes of failing to provide medical treatment. It defines wrongfully as “erroneously, incorrectly, or in a manner otherwise inconsistent with the law or facts.” It also makes a number out of scope of changes regarding payments from the uninsured employers’ fund.
Most Recent Update:
1/10/2023 This measure has been introduced for the 2023 legislative session. This measure awaits referral to committee.
SB 97 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Specifies That the Maximum Weekly Death Benefit Available Through Workers’ Compensation For a Deceased Employee Who Leaves Dependents Is 75 Percent of the Employee’s Average Weekly Wage Up to 100 Percent of the State’s Average Weekly Wage; Removes Language That Dependent Children of the Deceased Employee Have the Status of Orphan Upon the Surviving Spouse’s Remarriage; Makes Other Related Changes to the Compensation Percentages For Surviving Spouses and Children. – Amends Tca Title 50, Chapter 6.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure specifies for injuries occurring on or after 1/1/2023 that the maximum weekly death benefit available through workers’ compensation for a deceased employee who leaves dependents is seventy-five percent of the employee’s average weekly wage up to one hundred percent of the state’s average weekly wage.
This measure removes language that dependent children of the deceased employee have the status of orphan upon the surviving spouse’s remarriage and makes other related changes to the compensation percentages for surviving spouses and children from sixty-six and two-thirds percent to seventy-five percent.
Most Recent Update:
1/11/2023 This measure has been introduced by Senator Page Walley (R). This measure awaits committee referral.
SB 263 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Makes Various Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Law. – Amends Tca Title 50, Chapter 6.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure defines wrongfully for purposes of failing to provide medical treatment. It defines wrongfully as “erroneously, incorrectly, or in a manner otherwise inconsistent with the law or facts.” It also makes a number out of scope of changes regarding payments from the uninsured employers’ fund.
Most Recent Update:
1/19/2023 This measure has been filed for the 2023 legislative session. This measure awaits referral to committee.
HB 396 – Workers Compensation – As Introduced, Specifies That the Maximum Weekly Death Benefit Available Through Workers’ Compensation For a Deceased Employee Who Leaves Dependents Is 75 Percent of the Employee’s Average Weekly Wage Up to 100 Percent of the State’s Average Weekly Wage; Removes Language That Dependent Children of the Deceased Employee Have the Status of Orphan Upon the Surviving Spouse’s Remarriage; Makes Other Related Changes to the Compensation Percentages For Surviving Spouses and Children. – Amends Tca Title 50, Chapter 6.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure sets the maximum weekly workers’ compensation death benefit at 75% of the workers’ weekly wage, up to 100% of the state’s weekly wage. It also allows payments up to 22 years of age for surviving dependents, regardless of remarriage of the surviving spouse. It takes effect July 1, 2023.
Most Recent Update:
1/23/2023 This measure has been introduced for the 2023 legislative session. This measure awaits referral to committee.
Tennessee Regulatory Updates 2/3/2022
HB 335 – AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-51-201, relative to compensation paid to firefighters for certain conditions or injuries.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure adds leukemia and testicular cancer as conditions eligible for compensation. Firefighters wanting to use the presumption established in the subjection must obtain a physical medical examination by July 1, 2019, including cancer screening that failed to provide evidence of lymphoma cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, or multiple myeloma cancer. Those firefighters wanting to use the presumption established for leukemia or testicular cancer must have had a medical examination that failed to reveal evidence of leukemia or testicular cancer after July 1, 2021. This measure takes effect on July 1, 2021.
Most Recent Update:
2/1/2022 This measure will be heard on February 1 in the Local Government Committee. The Tennessee legislature is meeting in-person for the 2022 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by contacting the committee Chair. Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. A vote may occur at the discretion of the Chair. In Tennessee, measures are typically considered in a subcommittee before being considered by the full committee.
Legislative Updates 2020
HB 2577 – AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 8; Title 33; Title 50, Chapter 6 and Title 56, relative to treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Summary:
This measure allows for greater workers’ compensation coverage for post-traumatic streess disorder (PTSD).
Specifically, this measure creates a presumption that a public safety employee diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sustained the injury in the line of duty for purposes of workers’ compensation.
Most Recent Update: This measure was scheduled to be heard on March 16. No action has been reported. This measure is eligible for further consideration pending committee outcome.
SB 2691 – AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 8; Title 33; Title 50, Chapter 6 and Title 56, relative to treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Summary:
This measure allows for greater workers’ compensation coverage for post-traumatic streess disorder (PTSD).
Specifically, this measure creates a presumption that a public safety employee diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sustained the injury in the line of duty for purposes of workers’ compensation.
Most Recent Update: Action was deferred on this measure during the March 17 hearing in the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee, chaired by Senator Paul Bailey (R).This measure remains eligible for consideration when the legislature returns, which is scheduled for June 1, 2020.
Tennessee Services
- Workers’ compensation claims administration
- Medical bill review in compliance with state requirements
- Local PPO development and management
- Case management services
Tennessee Resources
Ready to get started?
Our team is ready to answer any questions and help you find the right solutions.