CPP Frequently Asked Questions

Only medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and doctors of chiropractic are eligible to become certified physicians.

As physicians become certified, they will be added to a directory on the Bureau’s webpage.

No. Physicians appointed to the MIR Registry before November 1, 2023, are considered competent in the AMA Guides® and do not need additional certifications or training. They must, however, meet all of the other requirements, such as taking the Bureau’s online course, “Best Practices for Treating and Evaluating Injured Workers.”

Training topics include determining causation and permanent impairment, navigating the Tennessee workers’ compensation system, helping injured workers return to work, assigning maximum medical improvement and work limitations, following treatment guidelines, understanding court processes, practicing effective office and billing processes, communicating with the case manager and return-to-work coordinators, conducting independent medical examinations, and submitting utilization review appeals. 

The training is offered online and will likely take a total of eight or nine hours, not including the time required for the comprehensive tests.

Instructors for the CPP course include physicians, judges, and staff from the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. 

Since the course is online and self-paced, it will be accessible at the physician’s convenience. Course progress will be saved, so the physician will be able to continue from the last module completed.

While the modules are completely self-paced, the CPP website has several means of communication, including a messaging system and discussion forum where you can pose questions and comments to Bureau staff and other physicians taking the CPP course. It provides access to a professional collaborative network.

In addition, the Bureau will host quarterly live Q&A sessions with course instructors and Bureau Medical Directors. 

No. AMA Guides training is not required to take the online course; however, it is recommended that the physician be familiar with the AMA Guides, 6th Edition, and its methodology, before taking the impairment rating module of this Best Practices course.

AMA Guides® Certification is required for CPP Certification. To prepare for taking the AMA Guides® certification test, many physicians seek formal training on their own. Again, this training is not required, but it may be helpful for those interested in obtaining AMA Guides Certification, which is required for CPP appointment consideration. 

Yes. The physician will receive CME credit if the physician completes all of the online training modules and passes a 60-question multiple-choice comprehensive test with a score of 80% or higher, the physician will receive a course attendance certificate from Meharry Medical College that awards 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^TM The physician must first submit a survey of the course to receive credit.

Yes. The physician must pass a comprehensive multiple-choice test within our eCourse, "Best Practices for Treating and Evaluating Injured Workers".

Additionally, all three approved AMA Guides, 6th Edition, certifications—CIR, CMLE, CIME—require the physician to take a test.

MIR Physicians appointed before November 1, 2023, are exempt from the certification requirement.

No. Taking the free online course, “Best Practices for Treating and Evaluating Injured Workers,” is just one requirement a physician must meet to be considered for appointment as a Certified Physician on the CPP Registry.  

AMA Guides® Certification is required for CPP Certification. AMA Guides® Certification refers to taking and passing a competency test in the AMA Guides, 6^th Edition. These certification tests are provided by approved vendors. In contrast, a “Certified Physician”  on the Bureau’s CPP Registry, has, in addition to being certified in the AMA Guides, met other training requirements, such as taking the Bureau’s online course, “Best Practices for Treating and Evaluating Injured Workers.”

Bureau “Certified Physicians” also agree to accept workers’ compensation patients and receive enhanced fees for treating and evaluating workers’ compensation patients.

No. The Bureau Administrator has exclusive authority to approve or deny any applicant, even those who meet the minimum qualifications. Other areas of consideration include administrative priorities and an applicant’s compliance with state, federal, and local laws.

No. AMA Guides training is not required to take the Bureau online course; however, it is recommended that the physician be familiar with the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, and its methodology, before taking the impairment rating module of this Best Practices course.

AMA Guides® Certification is required for CPP Certification. To prepare for taking the AMA Guides® certification test, many physicians seek formal training on their own. Again, this training is not required, but it may be helpful for those interested in obtaining AMA Guides Certification, which is required for CPP appointment consideration.

The physician may always choose to go “inactive” on the CPP registry or resign entirely.

CPP Certification lasts three years.

Physicians who wish to continue serving as a CPP Physician need to reapply with updated credentials (malpractice insurance, board certification, licensure, etc.).

The free, online Best Practices course must also be retaken, but the AMA Guides training does not have to be retaken provided the State of Tennessee still uses the same edition.

According to Tennessee Rule and Regulations  0800-02-18-.02 (5),

(5) Certified Physician Program in Workers’ Compensation (CPP): Physicians certified through the Certified Physician Program shall receive an additional reimbursement for the following services:

• (a) Initial Assessment (billed as an additional code Z0815) ………………………. $80.00.
• (b) Subsequent visit (billed as an additional code Z0816) …………………………… $40.00.
• (c) Assessment of Permanent Impairment and timely completion of the Final Medical Report (C30-A) (billed as an additional code Z0817) …………………………... $100.00.

Only certified physicians are eligible to receive these additional fees and only for services directly rendered by the certified physician, not the physician’s mid-level providers. If a certified physician bills for an initial assessment or a subsequent visit, then the certified physician is entitled to the additional payment. Diagnostic testing only is separate and does not entitle the physician to receive additional payment.

For further questions regarding CPP fees or the medical fee schedule, please contact Suzy Douglas at Suzy.Douglas@tn.gov or 615-532-1326.