Tennessee workers comp division launches physician training program

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation announced it has created a Certified Physician Program for physicians in need of specialized training to treat injured workers.

The bureau said in a statement Monday that the goal of the initiative is to make “it more appealing for physicians to accept workers compensation patients.”

“Employees who suffer work-related injuries face unique challenges when seeking medical treatment. Traditional medical training does not always cover the issues physicians encounter when treating a workers compensation patient,” the bureau said.

The program is a free, online, self-paced, training course designed to teach physicians additional skills to help them successfully evaluate and treat injured workers. In exchange for accepting workers’ compensation patients, certified physicians are eligible to receive enhanced fees for initial and follow-up visits and for giving final impairment ratings, according to the bureau.

The program includes the bureau-created training course, a comprehensive exam, and training in the American Medical Association guide that offers guidance in determining disability.