After you make the decision to pursue legal action against your employer, their insurance may want to know every detail of your illness and treatment to avoid overpaying for medical services or even paying at all. Learn about the process of getting a medical exam after a work injury and how an attorney can help.
What Is An IME?
When you file a work accident claim, you are required to go to a doctor for a specialized exam—an independent medical examination (IME). An IME is usually requested by an insurance company when they are disputing the severity of your illness in an attempt to lower the amount of insurance that they have to pay.
The insurance company gathers all of your medical records to date regarding the injury and writes a letter to the physician detailing the ailment and your treatments. The doctor chosen for the work injury evaluation is not your regular primary care physician. This doctor is chosen by the insurance company and works in their interests. Unfortunately, anything you tell the doctor is not considered privileged information and can be used against you in the court of law. The physician may also minimize the extent of your injuries in an effort to save the insurance company money.
Remember, this exam was requested by the insurance company because they disagree with your diagnosis, and they are looking for a way to minimize costs. The doctor, as well as the insurance company, is not working in your best interests.
Hire Braker White As Your On-The-Job Injury Attorney
You should look into hiring an attorney preferably before you go in to receive your independent medical evaluation. The attorney can request to see the letter and other documents the insurance company will send to the acting physician. The attorney can also prep you on the questions to ask during the exam so that you can learn more about your condition and not implicate yourself. Your attorney will also help you request the report the physician sends to the insurance company.
The process of an IME may seem small, but it is a determining factor in your case. Testimony from this physician may affect the treatment you receive going forward and the money the insurance company pays. You need to find an attorney who understands the intricacies and inner workings of the physician-insurance company relationship. You also need to have an expert on your side to guide you in the right direction.
You may feel small and powerless going up against an insurance company, but Braker White can provide the support you need. Schedule a free consultation with an on-the-job injury attorney in Odessa and Midland today to learn more about your rights.
