Independent Medical Evaluations: How to Prepare and What to Expect
Are you unfamiliar with the IME process? Please take a few minutes to read this information and find out about your examination. It has been designed to answer some of the questions that you may have regarding the evaluation that has been scheduled for you.
- You may be asked to answer a questionnaire before you attend your appointment. This will save you time when you are here and shorten the length of your appointment.
- Make sure that you have breakfast or lunch before you come to your appointment.
- If you have any x-rays or specialists reports, please bring them for the doctor to review.
- You will be more comfortable if you wear loose, comfortable clothes, and flat shoes. Bring a t-shirt and shorts to wear during the physical examination.
- Breaks will be offered during the evaluation. Please take them. You may want to bring a lunch or snack. We offer complimentary coffee, tea, apple juice and cookies at home offices.
- We recommend that you make childcare arrangements for the date of the appointment, as we do not have facilities available for the entertainment and supervision of children.
- Note your assessment can last several hours (please refer to your confirmation for the timeframes specific to your assessment)
You are coming to the assessment for the purpose of evaluating your medical symptoms related to your accident, injury, or illness. The doctor will evaluate your ability to function, and may make recommendations to assist in your regular daily activities, at home, at work, and in recreation.
- You will start your assessment either directly with the physician or by working with a registered nurse, occupational therapist or other trained individual (Chiropractor, Psychometrist etc.). Together, you will complete a thorough medical history and for psychological assessments, a battery of tests and questionnaires will also be completed.
- You will then meet with the physician for a thorough medical history and you will discuss your concerns regarding your symptoms and how they have affected your life.
- The physician will conduct a thorough physical examination, with particular attention to the injury or illness and your complaints. During the physical examination, the physician, without causing any harm, may try to reproduce all of your symptoms in order to determine the nature of the impairment and its extent. You may feel tired and experience some normal discomfort. There may be some tests, such as straight leg raising and bending, which are not uncomfortable unless you resist. The physician will advise you of all tests and answer any questions you have.
Assessment Chaperone and Attendant Policy:
It is the policy of AssessMed that an independent chaperone be present for the physical exam portion of any assessment that contains a physical exam. An administrative staff member or independent chaperone will serve as a chaperone and complete the chaperone form following the physical exam. The completed form will be retained in the admin file.
Examinees may not bring third parties into an assessment. Any attendants will be required to remain in the waiting room.
Each individual has a right to an assessment process that includes:
- Safe, considerate, respectful service given by competent personnel at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of personal dignity.
- Remaining disrobed no longer than what is required for accomplishing a medical purpose.
- Freedom from humiliation, abuse, neglect, or harassment.
- Freedom from restraint or seclusion.
- The ability to wear appropriate personal clothing, including religious attire and other symbolic items.
- Freedom from discrimination based on religion, race, and sex.
- Freedom from financial, and other, exploitation.
Functional Abilities Evaluation
If you are scheduled for a Functional Abilities Evaluation, functional testing will be administered by a qualified trained and certified functional assessor. Tasks you will be asked to perform could include for example: reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, etc. These tasks will help to determine your overall capacity for performing the essential tasks of your pre-accident/illness job and/or activities of daily living.
We respect your privacy, and the privacy of the information provided to us during the assessment process. Our final report(s) to the referring source will include all relevant information pertaining to your assessment(s). As this is an independent/third party medical evaluation, there is no traditional doctor-patient relationship. You should not expect advice, medications, treatment, or follow-up of any kind from the assessor post-assessment.
The report will be forwarded to the referring agency in a timely manner.
If you have any further questions that have not been answered, please contact us.