The Workers Compensation Insurance Company Has the Right to Request an IME.
The law is clear. The insurance company is entitled to schedule IMEs (so-called “independent medical evaluation”). But the IME must be done at a reasonable time. If you’re out of state or cannot attend the scheduled IME for some other reason, contact the insurance company immediately in writing and ask them to reschedule the exam.
Do You Need to Collect Medical Records for the IME Doctor?
There is nothing in the law that says you do. The IME is the insurance company’s expert and it is their responsibility to provide him with all the records he needs. The insurance company should have been collecting your records since shortly after you were injured.
Why Does the Insurance Company Want an IME?
There are several reasons the insurance company might want an IME and they all boil down to: the insurance company is looking for excuse not to pay your benefits. Some of the typical questions they will ask their “independent” doctor are:
- Are you really injured?
- Is the work injury the cause of medical treatment?
- Is the work injury the cause of disability?
- Can the injured worker go back to work?
- Does the injured worker need future medical treatment?
- Does the injured worker have a permanent impairment?
Where Do Insurance Companies Find IME Doctors?
They have two sources. If the IME doctor is practicing in Alaska, be aware. He’s working both sides of the street: giving insurance companies the opinions they want (and getting paid) and treating injured workers (and getting paid). The common denominator here is the doctor is getting paid by the insurance companies and that is where his loyalty lies.
Otherwise, there are staffing agencies that provide doctors for “IME” evaluations. Here are some of those companies in Alaska cases:
Examworks: ExamWorks|Independent Medical Examinations, Peer Reviews, Bill Reviews
Objective Medical Assessments Inc (OMAC): OMAC | Genex (genexservices.com)
First Medical Advisory Group: About (firstmagime.com)
Oregon Medical Evaluations: Oregon Medical Evaluations, Inc. – a resource for effective claims management (ormedeval.com)
Should You Be Worried?
You should. If the insurance company wanted to continue paying your benefits, it wouldn’t have scheduled an “IME.” There is nothing “independent” about these evaluations. The insurance companies have established relationships with the evaluators. They pay these doctors, many of whom are retired, lots of money. And the insurance companies are shopping for a particular opinion, one that is favorable to them and unfavorable to the injured worker.
What Should You Do?
You need to go to the appointment.
If they get the opinion they want, they will immediately cut off your medical benefits, your disability benefits, or both. And then you'll be scrambling to collect your records. Don't wait.
Meanwhile you should be collecting a complete set of your medical records. You will need them to fight for your rights if the insurance company controverts your case. That means contacting every provider that saw and asking their records department for all you records. You are legally entitled to these records.
Why Bother Fighting?
Because the insurance companies lose these cases all of the time. Most often, they lose because the Alaska Workers Compensation Board decides the so-called “IME” doctor was wrong. For a list of cases employees won, check out:
Never give up! Never surrender! 2021 in Review - Keenan Powell, Attorney at Law
Never Give Up, Never Surrender 2020! - Keenan Powell, Attorney at Law
Never Give Up, Never Surrender - 2019 Victories - Keenan Powell, Attorney at Law
Never Give Up. Never Surrender. - Keenan Powell, Attorney at Law
What Are Your Rights? Find Out Now
You don’t need to wait until your claim is controverted to speak with an attorney. Find out your rights are and what you should be looking out for.
Keenan Powell has practiced Workers Compensation law in the State of Alaska for over 35 years and has dedicated her practice to Workers Compensation representing injured Alaskans handling hundreds of cases. www.keenanpowell.com
All consultations are free!
To make an appointment (in person, telephonic, or zoom), email: keenan@keenanpowell.com or call: 907 258 7663.