You sustained an injury while tending to your job duties, but, thankfully, your employer has workers’ compensation. Before receiving compensation for lost wages and medical bills, you learn that you must undergo an independent medical examination.

IME Care Center explains the IME and offers helpful tips. Prepare yourself for the exam to protect your right to compensation.

What is an IME?

For workers’ comp purposes, employers may request that employees undergo an IME to clarify the severity of the illness, injury or harm. Insurance providers may want to gather as much information about the incident as possible to establish fault and determine whether to honor a claim.

Who carries out the IME?

Your regular physician cannot perform an IME. Instead, you must see a third-party medical professional. Before attending an independent exam, know that standard doctor-patient confidentiality does not apply to your situation. Anything you say to the physician may find its way back to the insurance provider or your employer.

How should you prepare for an IME?

Because you should exercise caution when speaking to insurance companies and those associated with insurance providers, practice your responses before your appointment. Expect questions regarding how you hurt yourself, how your injury affects your daily life, any previous harm you sustained and symptoms that you experience. The medical examiner may ask you about prescribed and over-the-counter medications and supplements that you take for your injury. No matter the line of questioning, answer everything honestly. Cooperation and respect serve you and your claim well.

Practice patience during your IME and throughout your workers’ comp experience. Sound preparation and information help you recover and return to work.