Preparing for an Independent Medical Examination (IME)

What an IME Really Is

An Independent Medical Examination is a medical assessment arranged and paid for by your insurance company. Despite the word "independent," these exams are anything but. The insurer selects the doctor, defines the referral questions, and pays for the assessment. The doctor's role is to provide an opinion about your condition — and that opinion frequently contradicts your own treating physicians.

How to Prepare

Before the exam: Review your medical history. Know your medications, dosages, and side effects. Write down your worst symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ability to work. Don't minimize your condition — describe your worst days, not your best. Be honest and consistent with what you've told your own doctors.

What to Say — and Not Say

Be truthful. Don't exaggerate, but don't understate either. Answer the questions asked — don't volunteer extra information. If you don't know or can't remember something, say so. Describe your limitations in terms of function: "I can sit for about 15 minutes before the pain becomes unbearable" is more useful than "my back hurts."

Your Rights During the Exam

You can request the name and specialty of the examiner in advance. You can bring a support person (though they may not be allowed in the exam room). You can take notes about the exam afterward — including duration, tests performed, and questions asked. The examiner should not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations.

What Happens After

The IME doctor submits a report to the insurance company. If it contradicts your treating physicians, the insurer will use it to deny or terminate benefits. However, IME reports can be challenged — through independent medical reviews, cross-examination of the IME doctor, and by demonstrating the limitations of a brief, one-time assessment.