Independent Medical Examination is a service provided to law firms, employers, insurance companies, worker’s compensation firms and other organizations that are in need of an independent third party to perform an objective medical assessment.
What is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?
An Independent Medical Exam is a medical evaluation performed by a medical professional such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physical therapist who was not previously involved in the assessment or treatment of the patient in any capacity. IMEs are usually done in a legal or administrative proceeding such as a worker’s compensation case, disability claim or personal injury claims.
What makes an IME different from a typical visit to a doctor’s office?
An independent medical examination will be done by an objective, unbiased third party who is qualified to determine the nature and extent of a patient’s injuries. There is a limited doctor-patient relationship during these visits. IMEs are usually done primarily with an assessment to determine the cause and extend of medical condition or injury. Typically, there will be no treatment plan given.
What is the Purpose of an IME?
If a dispute arises regarding a workers’ compensation claim, an Independent Medical Examination allows insurance professionals, employers, attorneys, and physicians to align their perspectives. These exams often play a crucial role in facilitating a prompt and efficient resolution of the claim. They are most commonly looking for the following:
- Assess the extent of disability, impairment, or limitations resulting from a particular incident.
- Offer recommendations for appropriate treatment.
- Establish the cause of injury and determine liability.
Due to the purposes listed above, IMEs should be done in an unbiased and objective evidence-based manner way. This is why they are done by an independent professional who has no prior relationship with the injured person.
Why choose Dr. Zielinski for your Independent Medical Exam?
Dr. Zielinski is a board-certified neurosurgeon who is actively practicing and does spine surgerty on a weekly basis. He is licensed in over 10 states and has over 30 years of experience treating patients with neurological conditions, primarily neck pain and low back pain.
He is the first-ever neurosurgeon in the United States to perform spinal fusions without any metal instrumentation. Using a polymer-based substitute and a novel fusion technique, Dr. Zielinski’s technique has helped hundreds of people suffering from neck and back pain to end pain and recover quickly. Specifically, this has led to patients experiencing less post-operative pain and downtime than they would have using standard metal fusions.
Here is a complete list of Dr. Zielinski’s education, professional achievements, certifications and ventures