How to Prepare for an IME

 

Independent Medical Examiner appointments are extremely important to your claim and how you handle the appointment can have a critical impact. The whole experience can be overwhelming, so it is only natural to be nervous going into these types of appointments.

Below are some things to keep in mind and be prepared for an IME appointment, as written by an injured worker:

 

Preparation is key

If you can, the night before, fill out the IWSN Claim Record Template or have similar notes and information available.

Preparation is key to these interviews and if you go in without any notes, the IME can take advantage of your lack of available information and knowledge about your claim and try to fluster you by bombarding you with questions to confuse you. This may cause you to say something that may affect your claim through the IME's report. Having this information prepared will give you a clear document to reference throughout the appointment.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the appointment and arrive early. 

When entering the room for the appointment, walk in confidently and sit down comfortably in the chair. Note that your body language will likely be observed during the appointment.

The majority of the interview will be going over the history of your claim, notes and information about your claim, during which the IME may try to catch you out on minor details in an attempt to make you look dishonest.

Remember to take deep breaths when you sit down and don’t be pushed or rushed into answering the questions. Take your time. If you take in a water bottle, have a sip. If you require a toilet break, tell the IME.

 

Be aware of your surroundings

IMEs also investigate and examine your conduct. Keep in mind that you may observed from the moment you arrive at the location of the appointment. Entering and exiting the building and waiting for the examination are times where your body language and/or condition may be observed by the IME, clinic staff or in some cases, even private investigators.

 

IMEs do not provide diagnosis

It is not the IME's role to provide you with a diagnosis for your injury/illness.

This is a question for the doctor who is currently treating your injuries. Instead, the IME’s role is to assess the extent of your workplace injuries and to write up a report for your employer’s insurance company. This examination is about determining the extent of your injury, how serious it is and if it warrants workers’ compensation benefits. Do not try to elicit a diagnosis from the IME.

 

Not all IMEs are the same

Some IMEs are better than others, however you have to bear in mind that all IMEs are employed by the insurance company managing your claim and have conflicting interests to you.

Unfortunately, it is useful to prepare for the worst-case IME.

There are usually two types of IMEs; the first type is conversational and appears friendly and the second type has a more aggressive approach that is argumentative.

In dealing with both types of IMEs, it is important to remain alert-- always focus on only answering the questions being asked, not oversharing, not being provoked and remaining calm. 

 

Mentally prepare for questions the IME may ask

IMEs often use leading questions. The use of leading questions can steer the appointment in a direction that is a disadvantage to you.

Because the question may be asked in a way that is meant to elicit a certain response, you may find that you are not able to say what you meant and your response may be manipulated into something that is isn't. It is important to politely ask for clarification on the question so you can answer it clearly. You cannot accurately answer a question unless you understand what is being asked. 

If you find this happening during your appointment, try not to get angry. Best to stop, take a breath and have a sip of water. This takes momentum away from the IME and allows you to reset before continuing with the appointment. 

It is common that the IME will ask you to go over parts of your claim again or repeat their questions to see if your answers are consistent.

This can cause a lot of stress and frustration. Again, it is important to take a quick breath and reset before continuing. This also highlights the importance of preparing for the appointment and having a clear record of all aspects of your claim. 

If you feel you have been cut short and you believe the matter is important, the best way to approach this is to politely say that it is important for you to finish answering your own way and that your answer is important. 

It is very easy to get angry during parts of the appointment but calm and restraint during it could make all the difference for the future. Stay calm, try not to get emotional and focus on each question. Think before you speak and don't allow the questioning to be rushed.

 

Avoid saying more than you should

The IME is going to ask you several questions about your injury or illness and any accompanying symptoms. Focus on what is being asked in the question and then answer it. Once you answer the question, you should stop talking and avoid getting conversational. If it is not clear what is being asked, ask politely for clarification. Do not feel pressured to rush to have an answer to the questions. 

No matter how chatty you might feel, or how sympathetic the doctor might appear to be, keep in mind that they were hired by the insurance company. If you continue to talk and overshare, you could inadvertently damage your case and derail your chances of obtaining or remaining on workers’ compensation benefits. A comment you might think is completely innocuous and innocent might be manipulated by the IME in the interests or the insurance company.

Always be honest in your answers and stick to the facts, do not speculate anything. If you don’t have first-hand knowledge about a particular topic, it is best to say nothing.

 

Do not exaggerate the symptoms of your injuries or illness

You might think that reporting more serious symptoms to the independent medical examination doctor will help your pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits, but this will only backfire on you.

Exaggerating your symptoms will only make you appear dishonest and damage your credibility. Always aim to be as honest and concise as possible during your independent medical examination. Ultimately, the best way to handle this incredibly critical appointment is by being honest and holding back on any desire you might have to engage in lengthy conversations with the independent medical examination doctor, regardless if you believe they are trying to help you.

 

 

Remember, if this report leads to the agent terminating your claim, you have a right to dispute the decision through the Workplace Injury Commission (WIC). 

 

 

The information on this website produced and distributed by the IWSN is of a general nature. We do our best to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, but cannot take any responsibility for any loss arising out of its use. You should not rely on it applying in your own circumstances and should always take further advice from those with appropriate qualifications.

 

Last updated December 2024.