What does IME mean in MEDICAL

An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an examination conducted by a doctor who has been hired by an employer, insurance company, or court to provide a second opinion in support of the primary diagnosis for the treatment plan.

An IME is typically conducted by a doctor who has been hired by an employer, insurance company, or court. The doctor must be independent from both parties and can be either selected unilaterally or mutually agreed upon.

During an IME, diagnostics can be completed to determine whether there is impairment due to pre-existing conditions and how long any restrictions should last. The doctor also may provide recommendations as to what form of therapy might prevent further injury as well as any work modifications that might need to be implemented.

It is not always necessary for both parties to agree about the chosen doctor for the IME but it is often recommended that they come to mutually agreeable terms when selecting someone for this role.

After results from the IME have been reported, typically employers and insurers will use this information along with records obtained from other sources such as medical care providers and vocational experts in order to make their decisions related to claims processing and dispute resolution.