Claims and Risk Management

SAFE Program (for Medical Providers)

Through this program, medical facilities may be reimbursed for services related to forensic examinations on victims of sexually oriented crimes.

Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) for Medical Providers

The 105th General Assembly amended the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act in 2007 to provide payment for services related to sexual assault forensic examinations.

The Fund provides reimbursement to a facility that performs sexual assault forensic exams on victims of certain sexually oriented crimes. Facilities must bill the Fund, not the victim, and cannot seek any additional payment from the victim after payment by the Fund.

Female doctor consulting with female patient

Online portal for SAFE providers

SAFE portal access

Medical facility waiting room

SAFE Eligibility

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-118 provides that victims of certain sexually-oriented crimes shall be entitled to forensic medical examinations without charge.

No bill shall be submitted to a victim. Claims for forensic medical examinations may include services provided for a sexually-oriented crime by any:

Medical facility
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program
Child advocacy center
Rape crisis center

SAFE Benefits

Services may include those directly related to the collection of forensic materials for evidentiary purposes. Examination expenses may include:

Emergency department, SANE, or physician fee
Collection of specimens
Lab work

Medical examination for sexual trauma
Other necessary forensic-related treatment

File a Claim

Do not bill the patient/victim. The facility shall bill the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.

The SAFE Program can reimburse medical providers for the examination of victims of sexually oriented crimes under Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-13-502—39-13-506, 39-13-522, 39-13-531, 39-13-532, and 39-13-527.

This may include an exam for a crime occurring in Tennessee regardless if the victim is a Tennessee resident.

Payments for exams arising from crimes occurring outside Tennessee cannot be considered if that state has a forensic exam payment program which would pay any part of the expense.

Doctor filing claim on laptop

Please note the following:

All claims for reimbursement must now be filed through the portal. For your facility to file a claim, you will need to ensure you are an active vendor/supplier on the State’s Edison system.
The Division of Claims and Risk Management may request clarifying information from the facility if required for payment of the bill or may return incomplete documents.
In accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-118, the amount reimbursed by the Division/Fund must be accepted as payment in full. The facility cannot bill the patient a balance, for any reason.
The maximum available for all such examination-related expenses is $1,000 for services performed.
Although the person may elect to report the crime, a report to law enforcement or cooperation with the prosecution is not required for payment of the exam.
The documents must be submitted through the portal within one (1) year of the date of the exam. Payment shall be rendered within ninety (90) days of receipt of request.
Medical treatment for injury may be billed separately and directly to a patient/victim, who then may file a claim for Criminal Injuries Compensation.