Independent medical examinations or an “IME” is an examination by a healthcare professional who is not involved in a person’s individual care. These exams are usually performed on individuals who sustain injuries in work-related accidents, motor vehicle accidents or sustain injuries from other sources and are ordered by insurance companies or attorney’s defending or bringing cases to court. Independent exams are also done to determine whether an individual has sustained a total or partial disability for purposes of receiving disability benefits and other accommodations (see disability assessments).
Independent exams may be conducted to determine the cause, extent and medical treatment of a work-related or other injury where liability is at issue; whether an individual has reached maximum benefit from treatment; and whether any partial or permanent impairment remains after treatment. Sometimes, treating physicians and the IME health professional will be called upon to testify in court or other legal tribunals as to his/her findings on a particular patient/claimant. In addition to a physical exam, medical records will also be included to be reviewed and commented upon by the examiner. In some cases where a person is deceased, only the decedent’s medical records and other ancillary records will be reviewed.
IME’s are an important mechanism within the medical – legal framework, providing assessments to injured individuals. However, it is not the final statement to any individual condition as these cases are often adjudicated. Northern Neurology Specialties and Dr. Jill Bressler are experienced performing independent medical examinations and providing the associated reports.
Please contact us for more information on giving testimony and our Independent Medical Exam services.