The department is authorized to pay all medical, surgical, hospital, nursing, and other similar expenses incurred by any member of the Georgia State Patrol as a result of injuries received in the line of duty. The department is authorized to make such payments in addition to any award made by the State Board of Workers' Compensation based on such injuries. Such payments shall only be made upon proper presentation of bills to the comptroller of the department. The comptroller and the injured party shall together ascertain the correctness of all bills presented. No payments shall be made without the approval of the commissioner.