For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Applicant" means a person with a disability who applies to the department for SIF certification.

(2) "Certified" and "certification" mean the department has determined an individual has a permanent physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial obstacle to employment, based upon review of the SIF application, the medical evidence of impairment form, and rehabilitation evaluation, if applicable.

(3) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry.

(4) "Indemnity benefits" means any payment made by an insurer directly to the worker or the worker's beneficiaries, other than a medical benefit. The term includes payments made pursuant to a reservation of rights. The term does not include expense reimbursements for items such as meals, travel, or lodging.

(5) "Maximum medical improvement" means the same as provided by 39-71-116, MCA.

(6) "Permanent impairment" means a significant deviation, loss, or loss of use of any body structure or function in an individual, with respect to a health condition, disorder, or disease that has reached maximum medical improvement.

(7) "Reemployment" means placement with the time-of-injury employer in a new or modified position, with or without accommodations made for the certified worker's permanent impairment.

(8) "Referring agent" means a person or agency that assists an individual in preparing an SIF application.

(9) "SIF" means the subsequent injury fund, which is administered by the department.

(10) "Treating physician" means the same as provided by 39-71-116, MCA.