39-71-1049. Stay-at-work/return-to-work assistance fund -- purpose -- payment process -- rulemaking. (1) There is a stay-at-work/return-to-work assistance fund in the proprietary fund category.

(2) The purpose of the assistance fund is to pay for stay-at-work/return-to-work assistance provided by the department so that assistance may be provided as early as practicable in the workers' compensation claims process.

(3) (a) The department may establish by rule:

(i) the amounts and types of assistance to be provided; and

(ii) the maximum hourly rate that may be charged for stay-at-work/return-to-work assistance obtained by the department and paid for by the assistance fund.

(b) The rules adopted under subsection (3)(a) regarding the payment amounts to rehabilitation providers do not apply if the insurer has taken direct responsibility for providing stay-at-work/return-to-work assistance.

(c) If rules are not adopted to implement subsection (3)(a), the department may not provide more than $2,000 in assistance.