Supporting Materials

If any requested information is not available at the time of submission, or if additional clarification is needed, the practice will be given the opportunity to provide supplemental materials and context prior to any final determination. An OM representative may contact the practice to review submitted documentation, discuss outstanding items, and ensure all relevant information is fully considered. Practices may also submit additional information to the Independent COE Oversight Committee as part of the review process.

Evaluation Standards

The COE Designation evaluates whether a medical practice meets established criteria and demonstrates adherence to recognized best practices related to the care and administrative support of injured workers.

Evaluation criteria include whether the practice demonstrates:

• Timely access to care, including appropriate appointment availability for initial evaluations and follow-up visits

• Timely completion and submission of required workers’ compensation documentation and state-required forms

• Clear, consistent, and timely communication with employers, insurance carriers, claims adjusters, nurse case managers, and other involved parties

• Effective administrative organization and coordination of workers’ compensation cases

• Ongoing staff training and demonstrated familiarity with workers’ compensation requirements and processes

• Professional customer service, including staff responsiveness, courtesy, and accessibility

• A clean, organized, and professional office environment appropriate for the care of injured workers

Recognition

Practices awarded the COE Designation receive formal recognition for demonstrating established administrative practices and care coordination processes that support high-quality care for injured workers.

Recognition includes:

• Authorization to display the official OM Center of Excellence (COE) Seal on the practice’s website, professional materials, and office communications, in accordance with COE usage guidelines

• A digital Certificate of Designation for official and internal use

• National acknowledgment by OM as a COE-Designated Practice

• Inclusion in OM’s national registry of verified COE-Designated Practices

• Optional inclusion in the OM National Directory as a COE-Designated Practice (offered separately)

Designation Renewal

The COE Designation is valid for two (2) years from the date of approval.

Practices will be notified ninety (90) days prior to expiration. Renewal requires submission of an updated application and confirmation that the practice continues to meet COE criteria related to administrative practices, care coordination, staff training, customer service, and office operations.

If concerns are identified during renewal or interim review, the practice will be given the opportunity to submit additional information or documentation prior to any determination regarding designation status. The Independent COE Oversight Committee reserves the right to re-evaluate designation status if a practice no longer meets COE criteria.

Program Independence and Cost Transparency

The OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation is a national professional recognition program established to evaluate whether medical practices meet defined administrative and operational criteria supporting the care of injured workers.

Like other professional designation and accreditation programs in healthcare, the COE Designation requires structured administration, documentation review, independent evaluation, and ongoing program oversight. Program fees are standard and necessary to support these activities and ensure the designation is administered consistently, objectively, and independently across all applicants.

The COE Designation operates independently from OM marketing programs, promotional services, and business affiliations. Practices are not required to be OM clients to apply for, participate in, or receive the designation.

Payment of program fees supports the administrative and evaluation process only and does not guarantee designation.

The COE Designation:

• Is a professional recognition program, not a marketing program, membership, or referral network

• Does not include marketing services, promotional activity, patient referrals, or directory placement

• Does not create, imply, or establish a contractual, referral, or business relationship with OM

Important Notices

The COE Designation is open to all qualified medical practices nationwide, regardless of affiliation with OM. OM Marketing services are separate and available only to active OM clients under a separate agreement. Earning the COE Designation does not create, imply, or extend a marketing, referral, or contractual relationship with OM. WorkCompReady Certification is a separate educational and training-based certification program available exclusively to physicians who participate in the OM Panel.

Fee Structure

All fees support the administrative review, independent committee evaluation, and verification processes associated with the OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation. Fees are used solely to administer, oversee, and maintain a consistent, objective, and independent national designation program.

The COE fee structure is established based on nationally recognized fair-market pricing for professional designation and accreditation programs of similar scope and rigor. Fees support activities including, but not limited to, application intake and processing, documentation review and verification, coordination of required evaluations and scheduled site visits, oversight by the Independent COE Oversight Committee, program governance, and ongoing administrative operations.

Payment of fees supports the evaluation and oversight process only and does not guarantee designation. Fees are not associated with marketing services, referrals, directory placement, or business affiliations. Once the formal review process has begun, all fees are non-refundable

Fee Schedule

Initial Application Fee – $4,000
Includes comprehensive administrative review, documentation verification, required site visit, and independent evaluation by the COE Oversight Committee.

Reapplication Fee – $1,750
Applies to practices reapplying following a conditional, deferred, or non-approval determination.

Renewal Fee – $2,000
Covers the two-year re-evaluation process, including verification of continued compliance with COE standards related to administrative practices, care coordination, staff training, customer service, and office operations.

OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation Overview

The OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation formally recognizes medical practices that adhere to established best practices in administrative operations and care coordination related to the care of injured workers. The COE Designation does not evaluate, direct, or influence medical decision-making. All clinical decisions remain solely with the treating physician.

Recognition Includes

Official COE Designation Certificate and Seal
Practices receive a formal digital designation letter and authorization to use the official OM Center of Excellence (COE) Seal on their website, professional materials, and office communications, in accordance with COE usage guidelines.

National Recognition
Recognition as a COE-Designated Practice reflecting adherence to established best practices in administrative operations and care coordination, demonstrating a commitment to supporting high-quality, well-coordinated care for injured workers.

National COE Registry Listing
All practices awarded the COE Designation are included in OM’s national registry of verified COE-Designated Practices for reference and validation purposes.

Optional Directory Inclusion
Practices may elect to be included in the OM National Directory as a COE-Designated Practice. Directory participation is optional and offered separately from the COE Designation.

Independent Review and Designation Authority

The OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation is awarded only after completion of a structured, multi-step evaluation process conducted in accordance with established COE protocols and standards. All designation decisions are made solely and exclusively by the Independent COE Oversight Committee.

The Oversight Committee is responsible for reviewing verified materials, evaluating whether the practice meets COE criteria, and issuing final designation determinations. OM’s role is limited to facilitating application intake, coordinating administrative review, and supporting the evaluation process. OM does not participate in, influence, or render designation decisions and has no authority to approve, deny, or condition designation determinations.

The Independent COE Oversight Committee may include physicians and other experienced professionals with expertise in care delivery, administrative operations, and care coordination related to the treatment of injured workers. Committee members act independently and in accordance with COE governance policies to ensure objective and consistent decision-making.

Final Acknowledgment

By submitting an application, the practice confirms that all information provided is accurate, complete, and reflective of its current administrative and operational practices supporting the care of injured workers. All submitted materials are treated as confidential and reviewed solely for the purpose of evaluating eligibility for the COE Designation.

The OM Center of Excellence (COE) Designation is a national professional recognition focused on administrative integrity, care coordination, and consistent application of established best practices. The designation operates independently from OM marketing programs, affiliations, and business services.

Submission Confirmation

Once a completed application and all required supporting materials have been submitted through the OM website, the practice will receive written acknowledgment confirming receipt. The application will proceed through administrative review to confirm completeness and eligibility. Applications deemed complete will be forwarded to the Independent COE Oversight Committee for evaluation in accordance with established COE standards and review protocols.

If additional information is required during the review process, a designated OM representative will contact the practice to request the necessary materials. Please allow approximately six to eight (6–8) weeks for completion of the review process and notification of the application determination. Review timelines may vary based on application completeness, evaluation requirements, and scheduling considerations.

For questions regarding the application process, practices may contact the OM COE Program Team at info@ommktg.com.