Tennessee confirms recognition of AOA pain medicine certification as equivalent

DOs in the Volunteer State may serve as medical directors of pain management clinics thanks to recent osteopathic advocacy efforts. In 2015, Tennessee passed a law stating that pain management clinics must operate under a medical director who is a pain management specialist, which the law defined as a physician who holds subspecialty certification in pain medicine. The AOA and the Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Association advocated to have AOA subspecialty certification in pain management recognized as equivalent in the legislation.

This early effort was not successful, but continued outreach by AOA staff resulted in approval of the request by the Tennessee Department of Health prior to the legislation’s July 1, 2016, implementation date. On Aug. 3, 2016, the AOA received official confirmation from the Department of Health that a Tennessee licensed physician who holds AOA subspecialty certification in pain management may serve as the medical director of a pain management clinic.