TNSIA News

STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Division of Workers’ Compensation
The Workers’ Compensation Division has received several complaints with regard to two issues.  First, some payors are reimbursing board-eligible and board-certified orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons at the lower rate that is only applicable to non-board eligible or certified surgeons.  Second, some payors are using [...]

Following the meeting on Septmeber 18th at which the State Department of Commerce & Insurance accepted comments from interested parties regarding the initial draft of their Rules, the State has now indicated that the Rules will be redrafted taking into consideration the comments provided.  The redrafted Rules will then be published with another hearing held [...]

Upon action of its Executive Committee, the National Council of Self-Insurers has contributed $5,000 toward the lobbying effort to achieve passage of the Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers’ Compensation Settlement Act of 2007.  The bi-partisan Act was introduced in the House of Representatives in May 2007 and, if passed, will resolve the serious delays and [...]

2008 TNSIA Conference – September 11th 2008
We will post details when they become available

All self insured employers should be made aware that Commissioner Flowers adopted the rule to regulate TPAs on November 26, 2005. It’s a fairly comprehensive rule which requires TPAs to do many of the things that insurance companies are required to do (i.e., obtain a certificate of authority, maintain proper books and records, hold [...]

Commissioner Leslie A. Newman was appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to lead the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, which performs a variety of regulatory functions and also houses the state fire marshal’s office and consumer affairs.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Commissioner Newman has more than 20 years of experience in both public and private [...]

The Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, Paula Flowers, has indicated to Governor Bredesen that she plans to step down in January, 2007.  She has listed financial considerations as her reason for leaving at that time.  No replacement has been named as yet.

On June 12, 2006, pursuant to the Rules of the Medical Impairment Rating Registry program, Dr. Walter Wheelhouse was notified that his privilege to serve on the MIR Registry was being suspended pending an investigation into his application for appointment to the Medical Impairment Rating Registry. 
Subsequent to that date, the Commissioner has concluded his investigation [...]