(1) The department may award a grant to mitigate the costs to an employer by making payment directly to an employer or an employer’s workers’ compensation benefits provider for expenses incurred as a result of the employer’s liability for disability and medical benefits due to the statutory presumption. The employer requesting reimbursement must show proper documentation that:
- (a) Confirms the claim as compensable with a diagnosis of PTSD for an eligible firefighter; POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
- (b) Confirms treatment has been provided by a qualified mental health professional; and
- (c) Confirms the workers’ compensation benefits have been paid as a direct result of a qualifying injury.
- (2) The employer shall attest that the injury meets all statutory requirements.
- (3) Employers and firefighters shall cooperate with the application review process by providing requested documentation, information, medical records, billing records, and proper authorizations to release information.
- (4) Employers shall complete the application for an award on forms prescribed by the administrator.
- (5) Application deadlines will be established annually by the administrator based on available funding and will be published on the department’s website.
- (6) The applications shall be reviewed in accordance with state law.
- (7) Applications for matching funds to meet local match requirements for federal grants shall include a copy of the award letter of the federal grant.
Authority: T.C.A. § 50-6-111. Administrative History: New rules filed December 23, 2024; effective March 23, 2025.