The following is a guest post by Albany Disability Lawyer Paul Giannetti:
An Independent Medical Examination more commonly called an IME is a physical examination usually set up by an insurance company. The purpose of the examination is for the insurance company to secure a medical opinion regarding a specific issue in a claim.
IMEs are frequently used in Workers’ Compensation and personal injury matters. The word “independent” is clearly a misnomer in that the medical reports generated as a result of these examinations are anything but independent. In fact, the insurance company pays large sums to doctors who perform these examinations. Obviously, the opinions expressed in these reports are often very favorable to the insurance company who is footing the bill.
In some cases, an IME is never scheduled. However, in other cases there are numerous IMEs performed during the life of a claim. There is no specific limit on the number of times an insurance carrier can require you to submit to an IME.
Unfortunately, failing to appear at an IME can have disastrous effects on your compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit. In Workers’ Compensation, it may allow the insurance carrier to suspend benefits or refuse payment for contested medical treatment.
Most Workers’ Compensation Law Judges are familiar with the common IME examiners. Some have reputations as being fair but many are known for offering entirely ridiculous and biased opinions.
While it can be an inconvenience to go to an IME, it is a necessary evil. You will be allowed travel reimbursement from the Workers’ Compensation carrier for mileage cost incurred in traveling to the exam.
Albany, NY disability lawyer, Paul Giannetti, covers cases involving personal injuries, worker’s compensation, and disability.