Independent Medical Examination — Insurance Claims Definition
A medical exam of a claimant by a physician chosen by the insurer to verify injury, treatment, or disability.
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is used in workers compensation, liability bodily injury, and disability claims to obtain an objective opinion on diagnosis, causation, maximum medical improvement, and work capacity. The examining doctor is paid by the insurer but should be independent.
Refusing a contractually required IME can reduce or stop benefits. States regulate IME frequency and travel distance.
Examples
A WC carrier schedules an IME with an orthopedist 60 miles away to dispute whether surgery is necessary for a knee claim.
Common Mistakes
Claimants assume IME doctors always side with carriers; credible reports still carry weight in litigation. Failing to attend without excuse hurts the claim.
