What is an Independent Medical Exam (IME) Anyway?
That’s a great question. An IME is a second opinion ordered by a 3rd party such as an insurance company. You may be asked to participate in an IME for any number of reasons. However the most common is to get an opinion regarding current and future plans of care. Have you done some research on what to expect in an IME? Have you noticed that most of the available advice out there is posted by personal injury attorneys and law firms?
In this article we will discuss some of the common myths and misconceptions that surround an Independent Medical Exam, and how to attend one with confidence.
What You Can Expect From Your Pain Independent Medical Exam?
First, realize that lawyers understand the law. Physicians understand medicine and everything else in-between. There are physicians who, over time, have an understanding on how to bridge the gap between medicine and the legal world. A physician who does this is your IME physician.
Independent Medical Exams are completed by physicians who have an expertise related to your pain management problem or conditions. We do not work for any specific insurance company and/or attorney. You’re treated and assessed the same as all patients. This is in your best interest.
Contribute to your IME, this is your chance to share your story!
Pain management Independent Medical Exams allow the patient to express how pain affects you. You’re the only one experiencing pain. By filling out standard questionnaires and reviewing your medical records, the physician expert can make a determination of the appropriateness of your current and future care. Pain is subjective. It is your personal experience. Only you can tell your story, and we are here to listen.
Recommendations can include medication, injections, interventional management, functional restoration, and further workup for causation of the pain. Making these choices requires a full understanding of all your health history. Facts that may not be important to your work injury, may be very important in optimizing your care and outcome. An IME provides another trained physician to review your current treatment.
Myths About Your Independent Medical Exam (IME)
There are many myths that surround an Independent Medical Examination. Many of these cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, both can actually contribute to your pain and have an impact on your outcome.
Myth: Doctors that perform IME’s work for the insurance company.
This is a very common misconception. Truthfully, at times it can appear this way. There are a number of insurance companies out there that back workers’ compensation claims. Many tend to use the same physicians on an ongoing basis. This can be for any number of reasons. Two of the most common being fairness and objectivity. Another reason, as silly as it sounds is punctuality.
Let’s speed this up!
Having an IME report completed in a timely fashion is important in your ongoing care. Sometimes your care is held up by a doctor that takes to long to complete their report. Insurance companies tend to stick with those that are not only fair, but can also produce their findings on request. The goal is to have a 3rd party look at all the facts to make sure the care and treatment that is being suggested is in your best interest. The physician does indeed receive payment for their time and expertise. However, the payment does not change depending on the outcome.
Myth: My attorney told me not to fill out a medical history, it could hurt my case.
This is also a very common misconception. The goal isn’t to tie preexisting health conditions or injuries to your current claim in an effort to sidetrack your care, benefits or potential litigation. Your complete medical history is VERY important when considering all the facts surrounding your work injury. Your IME physician is also tasked with making suggestions on your care if they are not in agreement with your suggested care plan.
Truth: An Independent Medical Exam can be frustrating.
At times the IME Doctor may even suggest that there is no further care needed, and a change in care, benefits and work status is reasonable. It is important to remember, that an opinion can only be rendered based on the facts provided. So please, take this opportunity to fill out the medical history forms and questionnaires, the more that is known the better. Remember, the goal is to get you the care you need.
Conclusion, your IME is a good thing!
Take part in your IME with an open mind. Be open and honest about your injury. How and where it happened, and how it affects you. And remember, most physicians that perform IME’s do so in volume. Reviewing many cases, often complex, allows the IME physician to make balanced reviews. Experience is the key!
Don’t fear the legal side of your IME, but embrace the medical.
