IME’s (Independent Medical Evaluations)

Independent medical evaluation (IME) is an examination performed to determine impairment and/or disability for the purpose of claims or legal proceedings. A physician who performs the IME is not involved in the diagnosis and treatment plan of an individual, so he/she provides an independent and unbiased report. There is no doctor/patient relationship as the evaluation is not performed with the intention of treating the condition, but to fulfill a client’s request. It may be performed at various stages of a patient’s injury or disease, or during treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.

After an IME, the physician sends the requesting authority details of the patient’s overall medical history, history of disease along with a brief on treatment and recommendations, revised medical evaluation, nature of injury (permanent or temporary), if rehabilitation may be beneficial, and recommendations for further diagnostic studies.