Independent Medical Examinations Are Judged by Their Covers. How To Make Sure You Get It Right

The old adage ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ may be true when it comes to reading the latest novel from your favorite author, but when it comes to independent medical examinations (IME), the cover letter means everything.

Though often overlooked in the IME process, the cover letter is the single most important communication tool for the physician reviewer. It allows him or her to understand specifically what needs to be addressed when an IME is recommended to evaluate the treatment, progression of return to work and functional capabilities of the injured person.

For most injuries, there is a standard treatment workflow and recovery timeline. When the process deviates from this normal flow, it raises questions and concerns. Independent medical examinations can help an adjuster determine whether the current treatment plan is appropriate.

But regardless of the quality of the provider conducting the IME, if the cover letter doesn’t clearly spell out what needs to be addressed, it can lead to an incomplete exam. In fact, IME requesters often won’t notice something has gone awry until they receive the resulting IME report.