Independent Medical Exams

What is an independent medical exam? 

An independent medical exam (IME) is a second opinion requested by an insurance company or attorney when they want your injury or medical condition reviewed by a doctor who’s not providing your treatment. 

The goal of an IME is to have a medical expert review your health and determine if your treatment is the best for your optimal recovery. However, in some cases, you may need an IME to prove the extent of your injuries and to verify the injuries were sustained due to the claimed incident.

When might I need an independent medical exam?

When you file a worker’s compensation claim, an insurance claim for an automobile accident, or a personal injury lawsuit, the insurance company (or opposing attorney) has the right to request an IME.

In most workers’ compensation cases, they want to verify that your treatment is justified before they reimburse your medical bills or approve your workers’ compensation claim. However, insurance companies may request an IME if they decide to dispute your claim.

Whatever the reason for the insurance company to request the exam, it’s important to know that you also have the right to request your own IME. By definition, IME physicians are independent and provide an accurate assessment, that may or may support your insurance claim or recommended treatment. But in most cases, it’s beneficial to have your own independent report.

What should I expect during an independent medical exam?

An IME report is designed to answer questions such as:

• Is your diagnosis accurate?
• Did the work or car accident cause your injury?
• Do you need additional treatment or testing?
• When will you be ready to return to work?
• Do you have a permanent disability?
• Will you benefit from rehabilitation? 

Your IME physician at Advanced Pain Management talks with you about your medical history, how you were injured, and your symptoms. They review procedures, treatments, and diagnostic tests performed by your physicians.

Your IME doctor conducts a thorough medical examination and may order additional diagnostic tests if needed. They also do a functional capacity evaluation to determine how your injuries affect your future health and lifestyle.

After your exam is finished, they complete an extensive medical-legal report that provides all the details needed to answer the questions posed by the insurance company. 

The team at Advanced Pain Management has extensive experience performing IMEs. To schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature.