Detailed Answer

When you receive treatment for a work-related injury, Tennessee law requires your employer’s insurer to pay all reasonable and necessary medical bills. Under T.C.A. § 50-6-204(a)(1)(A), the insurer “shall furnish such medical and surgical treatment as may reasonably be required” and must pay or formally deny any bill within 90 days of receipt.

To confirm that your medical bills received payment, follow these steps:

1. Collect your medical billing statements. Request itemized statements from each provider. These statements show total charges, payments received and remaining balances.
2. Review your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs). Insurers issue EOBs detailing which charges they approved and paid. Compare those figures line by line with your billing statements.
3. Contact your claims adjuster. Reach out in writing or by phone and ask for a payment summary. Under the Tennessee Prompt Pay Act for workers’ compensation (T.C.A. § 50-6-204(a)(2)(E)), insurers must respond promptly.
4. Check with the Tennessee Department of Labor. If the insurer won’t clarify payment status, file a records request or dispute online at TN Workers’ Compensation. The Bureau can review your file and confirm payments.
5. Verify with each healthcare provider. Ensure your provider applied the insurer’s payments correctly. If you spot errors, ask the provider to rebill the insurer with corrected information.

Keeping a clear, chronological file of all billing statements, EOBs and insurer correspondence helps you see exactly which charges were covered and which remain open. If unpaid bills persist for services related to your work injury, consider consulting an attorney for a detailed case review.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information on Tennessee workers’ compensation law. It does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a qualified attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Keep a dedicated folder for all injury-related medical bills and insurer communications.
• Request an updated billing ledger from each provider after every appointment.
• Ask for digital EOBs to make it easier to compare payments against charges.
• Set calendar reminders to follow up if you don’t receive an EOB within 30 days of treatment.
• Use the Tennessee Department of Labor’s online portal to track any disputes or open requests.
• Contact your claims adjuster immediately if you receive a bill that should be covered.
• If paperwork feels overwhelming, consider designating a trusted friend or family member to help organize documents.