What Is an IME (Independent Medical Evaluation)?

What Is an IME?

An Independent Medical Evaluation, also known as an IME, is scheduled by the Workers’ Compensation Carrier to evaluate the injured worker’s current medical status. This medical exam is performed by a doctor, relevant to your injury, selected by the insurance carrier — which is “independent” from the doctor currently treating you. So, for example, if you have a back injury and are treating with an orthopedic surgeon, you would be sent to an orthopedic surgeon.

Independent Medical Evaluation

An IME is typically requested when the workers’ compensation carrier is looking to settle a claim or stop benefits. You can expect to be notified via certified mail and regular mail with this request.

The IME is not optional and you must attend, with a rare few exceptions. If you fail to attend the scheduled examination, the workers’ compensation carrier will hire a lawyer and file a Petition to Compel you to attend the exam. Most Workers’ Compensation Judges will grant the Petition, as the workers’ compensation carrier is entitled to have you examined. There is no hard and fast rule, but typically the workers’ compensation carrier can request that you be seen once every six (6) months.

Another good thing to know is that if you need transportation to the examination, the workers’ compensation carriers usually provide it upon request. In fact, in the letter advising you of the Independent Examination, they will include a paragraph with contact information so you can call to request transportation. The workers’ compensation carrier will hire a vendor to pick you up at your home, take you to the examination, wait during the exam, and take you back home. In most cases, you can expect a confirmation call the day before from that vendor.

If you’re undecided about transportation, it may be a good idea to use it, because if you arrive at the IME late, the doctors typically won’t see you. If the IME doctor’s office reports back to the workers’ compensation carrier that you showed up late or did not show up at all, then the carrier will reschedule the exam and most likely hire a lawyer to file a Petition to Compel you to attend. Word to the wise… Most Workers’ Compensation Judges will grant Petitions to Compel, as the workers’ compensation carrier is entitled to have you examined to assess your work injury condition and your work capability. The logic behind this is that if they are paying you workers’ compensation benefits, they have the right to follow your status and try to stop paying benefits as soon as possible.