Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-02-31-.01 - PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF RULES

(1) Purpose: The general purpose of these rules is to provide an option for employees sustaining an injury arising out of and in the course and scope of employment to utilize telehealth.

(2) Scope: This chapter and the rules within apply to all who are subject to the provisions of the Tennessee workers' compensation law and who choose to provide or to participate in telehealth.

(3) These rules clarify and set forth guidelines for the provision of telehealth services to injured workers by employers, including insurance carriers and third-party administrators, pursuant to the workers' compensation law.

(4) It is intended that these rules shall be construed as much as possible consistent with other Tennessee state statutes and rules, including but not limited to statutes and rules which have been enacted or promulgated by the Tennessee department of health and by the Tennessee department of commerce and insurance.

(5) In the event that these rules may conflict with one (1) or more rules promulgated by another state agency, these rules 0800-02-31 are intended to be controlling in workers' compensation cases since they are more specifically related to the process and procedures of the workers' compensation law, set forth in T.C.A., Title 50, Chapter 6. If there is an executive order in effect that affects telehealth for workers' compensation in any way, the executive order shall preempt these rules.

(6) In the event that these rules 0800-02-31, or any part thereof, are declared unenforceable for any reason by a court of proper jurisdiction, these rules are intended to be severable so that such rules which are enforceable may remain in full force and effect to the extent allowed by state or federal law.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-02-31-.01

New rules filed July 21, 2021; effective 10/19/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 50-6-102, 50-6-204, and 50-6-233.

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