True Injury Confirmation

No, if all documentation is received up front. Send all medical records, diagnostic reports/images, surveillance reports/videos, job descriptions, etc. to us at the time of your referral, or at least before the IME takes place. If this material arrives after the IME, an addendum will be needed which usually results in the IME physician charging an additional fee.

Yes, but it may require an addendum and is not recommended. Some physicians must know at the time of scheduling all questions to be included in their IME report. This is because the physician may need to schedule the appropriate amount of time for additional testing during the claimant’s exam, as well as the extra follow-up work needed to conduct the rating portion within the IME report.

Physicians often dictate their IME reports right after the exam has concluded. The dictation then moves to transcription, then for a final review, signature, and release. If additional questions are given after an IME has finished and the physician has already dictated the report, a separate addendum will need to be done, which may result in the physician charging an additional fee. Thus, make sure you have all your questions ready for the IME physician well in advance of the IME.

Always aim to tailor your questions for each claim as specifically as possible.

Example:

Instead of asking for general treatment recommendations, ask about the specific treatment being suggested by the treating physician, such as “Is the right knee arthroplasty being proposed by Dr. X necessary and causally related to the 1.1.20 work injury?”