The terms
contained within these rules that are not specifically defined within these
rules shall have the same definitions as those established by the Workers'
Compensation Law and the case law interpreting it. When any terms that are used
in these rules differ from the definition established by the Workers'
Compensation Law, the definition established by the Workers' Compensation Law
shall govern.
(1) "Adjusting entity"
means a trade or professional association, managing general agency, pool, third
party administrator and/or insurance company licensed to write workers'
compensation insurance in Tennessee and shall also mean a self-insured employer
or group self-insured employers possessing a valid certificate of authority
from the commissioner of commerce and insurance pursuant to T.C.A. §
50-6-405.
(2) "Adjuster", "claims adjuster", "med-only
adjuster", or "claims handler" means a representative of an adjusting entity
who investigates workers' compensation claims for the purposes of making
compensability determinations, files or causes claims forms to be filed with
the Bureau, commences benefits, and/or makes settlement recommendations based
on the insured's liability on behalf of a self-insured employer, trade or
professional association, third party administrator, and/or insurance
company.
(3) "Administrator" means
the same as the definition of "Administrator" in T.C.A. §
50-6-102.
(4) "Bureau" means the Tennessee Bureau of
Workers' Compensation as defined in T.C.A. §
50-6-102, an
autonomous unit attached to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development
for administrative matters only, pursuant to T.C.A. §
4-3-1409.
(5) "Certified adjuster" means an adjuster
who has successfully completed the certification requirements for adjusters as
determined by the Bureau.
(6)
"Course" means any program of instruction, approved by the Bureau, given to
satisfy the certification requirements of this program.
(7) "Curriculum" means a course of study,
approved by the Bureau, which satisfies the certification requirements of this
program.
(8) "Training" means a
course of instruction, approved by the Bureau, provided by a training entity
that includes the topics specified by the Bureau to meet the initial training
requirements of this program.
(9)
"Training Entity" means any person or organization recognized as such by the
Bureau for the purpose of providing the adjuster training required by the
Bureau.
(10) "Workers' Compensation
Law" means the applicable Tennessee Workers' Compensation Law in effect,
pursuant to T.C.A. §
50-6-101
et seq.
