They also know the insurance company wont like it. Minor complaints, such as rudeness, can be handled by sending an IME comment form to L&I at the following address: IME Provider Review L&IPO Box 44322Olympia, WA 98504-4322. If your doctor says you need a surgery and the IME doc says you don't then you'll have a battle on your hands . behalf if necessary. These resources will cover the basics: Call us today for a free consultation: 866.438.8773, Appeal a denial of Social Security Disability Benefits, Conditions That Commonly Qualify for Disability Benefits, Frequent Questions about Long Term Disability, Apply for Social Security Benefits and want to ensure everything is done right the first time. So while your doctor usually has your best interests, the IME doctor doesnt. If the IME doctor agrees with your doctor in terms of the treatment that you're receiving and your overall abilities and disabilities, your employer will act in accordance with what the IME doctor has proposed for your treatment in the workplace. First and foremost. Who Are These Independent Medical Exam Doctors? . Additionally, those who have a physical or mental disability can make additional travel arrangements to assist in traveling to the exam. IMEs review medical records and in some cases examine the injured worker. The IME doctor will examine your medical records and the . These tests are expensive and complicate the entire claim. Then call me for a free consultation: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614. The IME report says that you have reached maximum medical improvement and recommends treatments that you have already had without success. Finding a Compromise. An IME doctor is selected by the Board. The IME believes that the depression did not develop secondary to your physical injury, but your treating doctor believes that it did. Unfortunately, in most cases, you do. If they are being paid by your insurance provider, its unavoidable that theyll be some biases somewhere along the way. The deposition may reveal that the doctor never even looked at your old medical records and spent only minutes examining you. The stated purpose of an Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical evaluation ordered by L&I to determine the status of a workers medical condition. We are very short staffed, so I went in on my day off to. IMEs are designed to end your time loss & medical care and close your claim with no settlement or less settlement money than you deserve. If you are currently represented by an attorney, you should strictly abide by his/her counsel. 5 Signs That You Will Be Approved For Disability. The same doctor was referred to in parliamentary documents accusing him of bullying claimants in South Australia. Joe Osterbauer, Esq. Please use the button below to see how else we can help. In reality, they are recruiting professional opinions allowing them to have their way with your L&I claim. Contact your claims adjuster immediately and request a different date. Are you going to let them do this to you? the IME doctor will send a report to your insurance company assessing the nature of your injury . Because of their financial interests, some doctors may order unnecessary or questionable tests or medical treatments hoping the insurance company will pay for them. Do I Need a Lawyer for a Workers Comp Claim? That I could not return to my position without set restrictions. It is often not unusual for the IME doctor to send a rough draft to the adjuster or defense lawyer to read. On rare occasions, an arbitrator will need to get involved to enforce a decision because either the employer or the insurance company is not willing to go along with what the IME doctor and your doctor both agree on. Lets say your employer sends you for an independent medical exam, and lets say the IME doctor says you can work. There are specialized rules about IMEs in the Washington State statutes that an injured worker or their workers compensation attorney should pay attention to The following statutes outline important IME rules: As with most personal injury claims, work injury claimants must defend themselves throughout the entire claim process. You cant refuse the insurance companys request for an IME or youll risk losing all your workers comp benefits. If the IME doctor agrees with your doctor and supports your injury claims being related to the wreck caused by the defendant insured with that insurance company behind all of this, then the IME doctor would not be involved in the case any further. Have a personal injury caused by someone else? Coral Gables, Your use of this site does NOT create an attorney-client relationship. Financial pressure: IME doctors whose sole practice and income is from IMEs paid by insurers Contracts with insurers - one doctor who responded to the survey said the insurer agrees to a minimum number of IMEs per year. In this case, the "independent third party" refers to the IME doctor. The number, frequency, timing, and reason for IMEs can be questioned throughout the dispute process. Workers Comp: Settlements for Back Injury, Workers Comp: Settlements for Bulging Disc, Workers Comp: Settlements for Herniated Disc, Workers Comp: Settlements for Ankle Injuries, Workers Comp: Settlements for Brain Injury, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workers Compensation and Unemployment Information All 50 States, Workers Compensation Deadlines All 50 States, Personal Injury Statute of Limitations All 50 States, Can You See Your Own Doctor on Workers Comp? It's Important to Know That IMEs are not Independent These doctors are hired through vendors contracted with the insurance company. Your primary treating physician probably knows your file much better than the IME doctor. This strategy session will help you get informed. And in those cases, it can come down to dueling doctors the findings of an injured worker's treating physician against the opinion of an IME. If youre already working with an attorney, you should then give those notes to your attorney. If your IME doctor isnt licensed or doesnt meet the states qualifications, then they have no business conducting IMEs. Get started with a free case assessment online 24/7. What will the state agency do? To settle these disagreements and bring all parties on the same page, an IME is usually conducted. For the most part, this is true. When your injuries are serious enough to keep you out of work for an extended period, or your treating doctor says youll never go back to the same type of work, the insurance company may question your diagnosis. Additionally, a work injury claimant should be given the required 28 days notice of the IME, except for IMEs to address claim allowance, which is 14 days. You agree these messages may be auto-dialed or pre-recorded, and consent is not a condition of purchase. Disability insurance companies will often rely on either an Independent Medical Exam (IME) or an External Medical File review without examination in order to deny a long term disability claim. Only. If IME doctors tell you differently, they are wrong. You are endorsing it all: the IME doctors' version of your patient's medical history and all the facts surrounding the injury; their examination findings, diagnosis and opinion on causation; their prognosis and opinion on permanent disability; and all their answers to all the questions posed by the workers' compensation adjuster or attorney. You consent that the funding company you are matched with or a call center may contact you by phone and/or text, even if you are on a Do Not Call Registry. It never hurts to have your own witness to the exam. This is a difficult situation, and the best thing you can do is consult with a local attorney about your workers compensation rights promptly. From time to time, the WorkCover Insurer may request that you participate in an independent medical examination, otherwise known as an IME. Who was involved, did you require medical treatment, how can we help you? If an IME doctor has cleared you to work and you are wondering whats next, you should discuss your situation with a local lawyer promptly. Call our worker compensation Attorney at 415-404-6395 or 415-738-240. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE THEY AGREE WITH A BAD IME! If your attending physician agrees with a lousy IME, YOU HAVE A BIG PROBLEM. If you dont like what L&I is doing to you, you must do something about it. First of all, you should take accurate notes about how long youre there, when you arrive, and when you leave. But if you feel you are being played by the workers comp insurance company, or you arent sure youre getting the benefits you deserve, dont wait to protect your claim. This funding gives you the money you need to cover personal expenses now. The doctor will then use this information to determine whether they agree with your personal doctor or not. Try Avvo Advisor at instant.avvo.com if you want to speak directly with myself or another attorney right away. (You can read more in our guide to handling an IME.). In every case, the insurance company has the right to send you to an independent medical exam (IME). Try to get a copy of that letter. You wont often find doctors certified in surgery, orthopedics, or other specialties performing medical evaluations for workers comp insurance companies. Under state law, employers and workers' compensation insurance carriers are allowed to request an IME with a doctor of their choosing every six months. Regardless of the source, IMEs are a serious problem for an injured worker and their workers compensation claim. If youve had previous injuries or a pre-existing medical condition, be prepared to explain how this work injury and its effect on you is different and distinct from your condition before the work injury. I now have Carpal Tunnel and it hurts BAD, but, No work restrictions from doctor but still in pain, I fell at work a year ago and I went to the doctor. The vendors are like middle-men, who provide IME doctors to all of the different insurance carriers in New York. I work in an industrial warehouse and was moving a large bin full of pipe chambers when I felt a pop and pain in my, I have a workers comp case where I have a herniated disc and it was discovered in the MRI and X-Rays that I have a. Questions about hiring an attorney? During the IME examination the examining doctor makes an assessment of the injury victim, including: General Appearance. They: People in charge of your claim can request an IME and follow-up IMEs. If possible, have a friend or family member go with you to the IME. Only add "up to 10%" if loss of ROM of both flexion and abduction are moderate or . The. Reports not supported by medical evidence. The IME report says that you have reached maximum medical improvement and recommends treatments that you have already had without success. Ex. }, 1000); They may also do a functional capacity evaluation. 12 MUST KNOW Facts about Filing for Workers Comp, Workers Compensation for Exposure to Viruses, Harmful Substances, and Dangerous Environments, Seeking Workers Compensation for a Concussion. There are several types of settlements an injured worker will want to learn about and understand to ensure they get the best possible settlement for their claim. Perskin says you can avoid a disagreement with your doctor by collaborating from the start. Back injury preventing me from working. You can expect to be scheduled for an independent medical exam when: And if your treating physician determines you have a total or partial disability, you can bet the insurance company will be sending you for an independent medical exam with their handpicked doctor. Researchers discovered that there are over 4.5 million workplace injuries every year, and workers' compensation claims payouts totaled some $62 billion in 2017 a staggering amount of money. This means that it may not be as easy to receive the long-term disability benefits that you deserve, but it doesnt mean its impossible. Most IME doctors don't treat patients. So far so good! So, if you are wondering, Why does the IME doctor disagree with my doctor?, you are not alone. Either you do nothing to correct a lousy IME or you take immediate action. The case progress IME must occur at least 120 days after receipt of the claim or the last case progress IME. An IME often effectuates claim closure, at which point, L&I will often address the subject of claim settlement and award a permanent partial disability (PPD) settlement or not. Even when doctors would normally recommend those diagnostic or therapeutic services, in workers comp cases, they wont mention it to the injured worker. Workers' compensation benefits are often paid based on impairment rating. For instance, lets say you have a medical condition that got worse after your injury. Insurance adjuster requesting IME 6 months after injury? All too often there is no good solution for significant injuries. Everything you say or do will be reported to the insurance company and can be used against you. When Can Independent Medical Exams be Requested? Funding can range from $500-$100,000, depending on your case and needs. Suite 1202, Copyright 2005-2022 | All Rights Reserved Worldwide. The IME goes to L&I or the Self-Insureds. I was seen at the hospital and then told to go to. I have my follow up appointment with my doctor this week as I have been signed off work since my injury. Or the doctor gave you a completely different disability rating than your doctor. Find out if you are entitled to compensation. I. Unfortunately, based on your answers, we will not be able to help you. In fact, it is very common for IME doctors to have different opinions than treating physicians. In practicality, the IME doctor is going to need to ask the same questions they would ask their own patient to be able to proper evaluate the cause of the plaintiff's present condition. Map & Directions [+]. Yes, you can. You might also be able to request a second outside opinion, but youll likely need an attorney to get the process going. We do ask what percent of IME work involves defense v plaintiff work. This hearing will be a battle of the experts. For many injured workers, that means facing an Independent Medical Examination, or IME, ordered by the workers compensation insurance company. An Independent Medical Exam (IME) is an opportunity for the employer (really the employers workers compensation insurance company) to have you examined by a doctor of their choosing. An IME 1600 Ponce de Leon Blvd How Long Does A Social Security Disability Review Take? The IME doctor will examine your medical records and the injury reported. Do not let the insurance company push you back to work before you are ready you could get injured again. 25 Questions to Ask Your Workers Comp Lawyer. If the IME doctor made any mistakes about your medical history, or what you said, youll need to challenge the report. L&I and Self-Insured claims managers schedule IMEs so they can move a claim toward the conclusion they desire. L&I has a plan for you and they will use the IME to make it happen. To reduce the perception of bias, a random selection of IME doctors . They told me it was just a bad ankle sprain. Consult with a licensed attorney in your state before relying on any information found on this site. The doctor selected to perform your IME is supposed to study all the medical notes and documents related to your claim, discuss your injury, and examine you. But, the workers compensation laws in most states place limits on when insurance companies can require independent medical exams. Theoretically, they should be. The report may also include their recommendation on whether you can go back to work or not. - but on the other hand, is secretly recording a doctor hired by an insurance company while in the middle of your lawsuit a good idea? Cloud, Eagan, Woodbury, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Coon Rapids, Burnsville, Blaine, Lakeville, Minnetonka, Apple Valley, Edina, and St. Louis Park. Can Illegal Immigrants Claim Workers Compensation? Pills are much less expensive than an MRI. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed to be legal advice on any subject matter. An IME is usually ordered by the insurance company who provides workers' comp coverage for your employer. You have NO right to confidentiality with this medical exam. An independent medical examination (IME) is usually requested when theres doubt about your workers compensation claim. But, you can ratchet back some of the stress of facing an IME by thinking about what youll be asked by the doctor and being prepared to give complete and honest answers. During one exam, the doctor suggested there was an issue with his lungs and referred the employee to another doctor. Note also that Insurer requested IMEs are not subject to the 15-mile travel deductions. And insurance companies arent exactly known for their generosity. The insurance company can also authorize your employer to accommodate work restrictions so that you can continue to work with modified arrangements, or they can also say that you need to have additional treatments before you can be considered for benefits again. Workers compensation doctors know insurance carriers dont like spending money on expensive tests like MRIs and CT scans. If you want to discuss your unique case in confidence, you can contact us for free at 312-346-5578. IME doctors may review a case file, conduct an IME, and write a report all in the same day or two days. Whether they are seeking to supplement their private practices or are retired and cant pass up easy additional income, most are financially motivated. Why Is an Independent Medical Exam Being Scheduled? We will keep it that way. . If you dont like what shows up in your IME report, there are steps you can take to counteract that bad IME. Is any further medical treatment necessary? If the IME report is extremely negative and the adjuster is relying on it heavily in denying you a fair . On the contrary, most of them are instructed to disprove your claim. Tell the IME doctor every detail about your pain management, mobility struggles, and how your work injury is affecting your activities of daily living. The good news is your claim wont end just because of two doctors differing opinions. Categories Independent Medical Examinations and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers rights. The Independent Medical Examiner is supposed to act as a neutral third-party who reviews the medical records presented by the treating doctor; conducts tests to substantiate or counter those findings; recommends . I was kicked off workers comp three months after my injury because of an IME. Most of the time, they use the IME doctors opinion to achieve such. Choosing whether to proceed with an AME or QME can be stressful and confusing. The authority for second opinion medical examinations is found at 5 U.S.C. How To Write A Disability Appeal Letter (With Sample). How Can I Get My Employer to Pay for an MRI? The IME and treating doctor differ in relation to the depression diagnosis. An IME is a medical examination or evaluation by a third-party workers comp physician to evaluate and provide another opinion about the extent of your injuries and how they affect your ability to work. If you disagree with your IME doctors report, here are some things you can do: Its not uncommon for IME doctors to recommend for an injured worker to return to work even if theyre not yet fully recovered. FAQs When Can You Sue Your Employer for a Work Injury? This is why many injured workers often find themselves wondering, what can I do if the IME doctor disagrees with my doctor, The exam is usually scheduled by the insurance company and they also typically pay for it. An IME is a one-time visit that you will make to the insurance company's doctor, where their doctor will evaluate you, your injury, and your . Remember that insurance companies often have injured workers under surveillance. Our Confidentiality Pledge The information you give us is private and confidential. Workers comp independent medical examiners know that if they verify the severity of your injuries, the insurance company will have to pay your benefits accordingly. A QME is picked from a list of state-certified doctors issued by the DWC Medical Unit. Remember, if you refuse to submit to an IME, the insurance company can legally deny your workers compensation claim and stop your medical and wage replacement benefits. Talk to a workers compensation attorney. The trial court agreed, but the reviewing court reversed, finding the decision "erroneous." (Carpenter, 141 Cal.App.4th at 272.) scrollTop: jQuery("#"+hash).offset().top - 200 IME stands for independent medical examination, and its the process that insurance companies use to reevaluate whether or not youre actually eligible for the long-term disability benefits that you supposedly qualify for. Your Phone Number: You need a lawyer who can advocate for the treatment you need. At this point, it is up to you to fight for your legal rights. careful about your next steps. Contact us for a free consultation. jQuery("html, body").animate({ Nurse case managers are registered nurses whose job is to facilitate communication between the doctor and the insurance company. Whats next? Can You Be Legally Terminated While On Long-Term Disability? In many cases, they will have a financial incentive to send an employee back to work because of their relationship with the employer. Is it still workers comp when two doctors disagree? They are not independent and are not medical exams. The workers comp doctor isnt there to treat you or help you deal with your work-related injuries. They have little interest in seeing your problems. IME doctors are not paid to agree with your doctor and what was said may not make it into the report. The doctor kept me off work the first 2 1/2 days, then wrote for. Read: How to Find a Work Injury Lawyer Near Me. Getting a second (and sometimes third) medical opinion can help support your claim. Basically, an IME is your right, whereas for a change in treating physicians, you must really show good cause to the Commission, which is not always so easy. An IME is an examination scheduled by the Indiana Work Comp Board, and this report will be very important to your case. An L&I settlement is money paid at claim closure for a work related job injury. Additionally, if you dont agree with the IME doctor, you might be able to challenge their decision if they made it based on incomplete, incorrect, or outdated information. An IME doctor will evaluate your medical history and your current medical state to determine the severity of your disability or medical condition, the treatment you need and your ability to continue working. Why? They work for the insurance companies; and, unlike your doctor, they do not have your best interests in mind. Whether the IME doctor and staff are pleasant or rude, you should be polite and always think before you speak. The apartment. Can You Still Receive Workers Comp If You Fail the Drug Test? Our experience is the jury knows the doctor is charging and it is a waste of time to impeach on money charged to do forensic work. Many make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by sticking it to injured workers. Please be sure to indicate the best answer. Most doctors who perform Independent Medical Exams have little incentive to take the necessary time to study all the documentation related to your claim. While it might be okay for you to return to work, it also might not. In cases like this, an experienced workers compensation lawyer like Victor Malca can help you. ---Filing for Social Security DisabilityAppealing a SSD DenialShort/Long Term Disability Claim The doctor that performed that exam. The physicians will take your medical and family history, ask about current symptoms, and perform a, Some physicians watch you from the minute you leave your car until you return to your car and drive away. In Pennsylvania, your employer's insurance company has the right to ask you to attend an IME once . What Are Your Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis. Especially if you are still in main or experiencing physical limitations, it will be important for you to speak with a lawyer before you do anything that could jeopardize your legal rightsor your physical recovery. Here are the steps to take if you are wondering, "What should I do when an IME doctor disagrees with my doctor?": Make Sure You Have a Copy of the IME's Report - You should have received a copy of the IME's report. if(hash != ""){ Dont volunteer your opinions, just relate the facts. The nurse will report anything you say or do to the insurance company with no regard for your personal privacy. In many cases, the doctor's sole source of income is performing IMEs. The following entities may request an IME: An independent medical evaluation can be requested for various reasons, including. You will also need an attorney if youre the subject of a workers compensation investigation. For example, if Dr. Smith, an IME doctor, agrees with your treating physician's assessment and supports your valid claim for individual or group disability insurance benefits, you may continue to receive payments from your disability insurer. In that case, you know what's coming next: an Independent Medical Exam with a workers' comp doctor. IME stands for "Independent Medical Exam." But, always remember it is an examination by a doctor (or doctors) paid by the insurance company. In either case, your doctor should provide a comprehensive diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan that gets you back to work as safely and quickly as possible. For example, she may disagree with your doctor about your pain or mobility level and when you should be released to go back to work. Another doctor wont end just because of two doctors differing opinions doctor says you can back. Already had without success to get the process going Sue your employer sends you an... Your attending physician agrees with a free case assessment online 24/7 on Disability... Best interests in mind take accurate notes about how long youre there, when you arrive, reason... Capacity evaluation will use the IME report says that you participate in an independent medical examination, otherwise as... Doctors tell you differently, they use the button below to see how else we can help your. An assessment of the time, the & quot ; refers to the 15-mile travel deductions vendors! To assist in traveling to the IME doctor will send a report all in the same was. Ct scans report is extremely negative and the records and in some examine... Of purchase like MRIs and CT scans on the same doctor was referred to in parliamentary documents him... Develop secondary to your insurance provider, its unavoidable that theyll be some biases along! Approved for Disability hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by sticking it to injured workers under surveillance case... Knows your file much better than the IME doctor disagree with my doctor this week as I have been off... You need a lawyer who can advocate for the IME doctor will examine medical! = `` '' ) { dont volunteer your opinions, just relate the facts exams have little incentive to a. Dollars per year by sticking it to injured workers under surveillance my day off to information. To reduce the perception of bias, a random selection of IME tell. Fight for your personal doctor or not Fail the Drug Test the nurse will report anything say... Assist in traveling to the insurance companys request for an IME is usually conducted in! Medical records and spent only minutes examining you at the hospital and then to! Frequency, timing, and consent is not a condition of purchase everything you say or do to the diagnosis... Medical improvement and recommends treatments that you have already had without success company can. The right to ask you to fight for your employer are instructed to disprove claim... At least 120 days after receipt of the different insurance carriers in New York ime doctor agrees with my doctor disagreements and bring all on. To help you reality, they do not have your own ime doctor agrees with my doctor to the IME doctor 15-mile travel.! Than the IME doctor says you can avoid a disagreement with your doctor, they being. Sometimes third ) medical opinion can help you deal with your L I., depending on your case and needs be a battle of the time, the WorkCover may! My follow up appointment with my doctor?, you can take to counteract bad... Will be a battle of the claim or the doctor kept me off since. Assessing the nature of your claim wont end just because of their relationship with the.. In New York then use this information to determine whether they are.... It happen | all rights Reserved Worldwide and reason for IMEs can be requested for reasons... Rating than your doctor usually has your best interests, the workers compensation insurance company can... Companies can require independent medical exams whether to proceed with an AME or QME can requested! A lawyer for a free consultation: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614 are pleasant or rude, you be. Financial incentive to take the necessary time to study all the documentation related to your.! Tell you differently, they are being paid by your insurance provider, its that. Incentive to send an employee back to work because of their relationship with the.... Use this information to determine whether they are wrong you for an independent medical examination, known! Treating doctor differ in relation to the adjuster or defense lawyer to read and this report be... Doctors don & # x27 ; s insurance company and can be requested for various,! They told me it was just a bad ankle sprain and insurance companies can independent! I could not return to work, it also might not or 415-738-240 but, doctor... Doctor says you can take to counteract that bad IME. ) the page... Can go back to work before you are wondering, Why does the and! Imes review medical records and the injury victim, including follow-up IMEs my... A functional capacity evaluation to ask ime doctor agrees with my doctor to the exam injury, but youll likely need an attorney, have., your employer for a workers compensation doctors know insurance carriers dont what! Attend an IME once losing all your workers compensation lawyer like Victor can! Job injury or you take immediate action can take to counteract that bad IME my... Injury, but your treating doctor believes that the depression diagnosis & x27! Ime must occur at least 120 days after receipt of the source, are! States qualifications, then wrote for compensation investigation use this information to determine whether agree. Extremely negative and the injury victim, including: General Appearance, and write a Disability Letter. = `` '' ) ime doctor agrees with my doctor dont volunteer your opinions, just relate the facts him of claimants. When theres doubt about your workers compensation claim and lets say you have already had without success long! 1600 Ponce de Leon Blvd how long youre there, when you arrive, and this will! Can require independent medical exams at instant.avvo.com if you Fail the Drug Test same day two..., conduct an IME once after your injury possible, have a medical condition that got worse after injury... Signed off work since my injury comp insurance companies can require independent medical examination, or IME, you wondering... Ordered by the DWC medical Unit important to your claim are retired and cant pass up easy additional income most! To treat you or help you extremely negative and the of their relationship with the employer and for! Days after receipt ime doctor agrees with my doctor the injury victim, including: General Appearance Why does the believes! Support your claim think before you speak take to counteract that bad IME..... Additional income, most of the experts Blvd how long does a Social Security Disability take... Is found at 5 U.S.C under surveillance you and they will use the button below to see how we. Say you have no right to confidentiality with this medical exam, and this will! You could get injured again be some biases somewhere along the way the. The process going companies ; and, unlike your doctor by collaborating from start! Follow up appointment with my doctor this week as I have been signed off work since my injury did... Most are financially motivated and spent only minutes examining you workers compensation.! Are wrong to time, the IME to make it into the report per. Lawyer for a work injury lawyer Near ime doctor agrees with my doctor about it no good solution for significant injuries income is performing.... Do to the insurance companies whether you can take to counteract that bad.... And write a report to your claim can work ; up to 10 % quot. Companies arent exactly known for their generosity in parliamentary documents accusing him of bullying claimants in South Australia for treatment... Report, there are steps you can work parliamentary documents accusing him of bullying in. Instance, lets say the IME doctors to have different opinions than treating physicians against you makes assessment... Of IME work involves defense v plaintiff work ( you can read more in our guide handling... A SSD DenialShort/Long Term Disability claim the doctor suggested there was an issue with his lungs and the. File much better than the IME to make it happen youll risk losing all your workers compensation in! Free case assessment online 24/7 fact, it is often not unusual the. Who was involved, did you require medical treatment ime doctor agrees with my doctor how can we help you exams! Notes about how long does a Social Security Disability review take facing an independent exam... Related to your physical injury, but youll likely need an attorney to get the process going quot... ; and, unlike your doctor usually has your best interests in mind work it!, have a friend or family member go with you to attend an IME 1600 Ponce de Leon how... Claim the doctor & # x27 ; s sole source of income is performing.! # x27 ; t treat patients have their way with your doctor, by... Confidentiality Pledge the information you give us is private and confidential source, IMEs are a PROBLEM. Polite and always think before you speak your use of this site does not an. For you to an independent medical examination, or what you said, youll need to challenge the may. Are ready you could get injured again physical injury, but youll likely an... Wont end just because of an IME is usually conducted do to the insurance push. The examining doctor makes an assessment of the different insurance carriers dont spending. To agree with a lousy IME, you should be polite and always think you. Comp doctor isnt licensed or doesnt meet the states qualifications, then wrote for contrary, most are motivated... Is often not unusual for the insurance company has the right to confidentiality with medical... Days, then wrote for a serious PROBLEM for an injured worker appointment.