Sarasota – October 07, 2026 -- 360 Orthopedics has become one of the first orthopedic practices in Florida to receive the Center of Excellence (COE) designation for workers' compensation care, a credential tied to measurable standards in access, documentation and return-to-work coordination.
Designation targets delays that drive up claim costs for employers and carriers
The COE evaluation assesses five operational areas: timely orthopedic evaluation and treatment, accurate medical documentation, communication among patients, employers, adjusters and nurse case managers, coordination of authorizations and follow-up care, and structured return-to-work planning. For employers and insurers, process delays in any of these areas can extend time away from work and increase claim complexity and cost.
CEO cites removal of communication barriers as core objective
EJ Ledesma, CEO of 360 Orthopedics, said the program was built to put the injured worker at the center of care while addressing the operational needs of employers, adjusters and nurse case managers, with the aim of letting physicians focus on treatment and safe return-to-work outcomes rather than administrative friction.
Practice positions itself as an early benchmark-setter in the state
360 Orthopedics, which serves Sarasota and Manatee counties, is among the first practices in Florida to hold the COE designation, placing it ahead of peers on standardized workers' compensation coordination as the credential gains traction among regional providers.