• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Has your disability claim been wrongfully denied or terminated? Call us today for help!  (888) 321-8131

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

OLF Ortiz Law Firm National Disability Attorneys

Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.

  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Team
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long Term Disability Appeals
      • Long Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications for Social Security Disability
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Long Term Care Insurance Claims
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • eBooks, Guides, and More
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary
    • Individual Disability Insurance Policy Analysis
    • Long Term Disability Federal Court Case Summaries
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT

Mobile Menu

Call us today for help!

(888) 321-8131
  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Team
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long Term Disability Appeals
      • Long Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications for Social Security Disability
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Long Term Care Insurance Claims
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • eBooks, Guides, and More
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary
    • Individual Disability Insurance Policy Analysis
    • Long Term Disability Federal Court Case Summaries
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Long Term Disability / Additional Parts Of A Claim That Do Not Happen in Every Case / 8 Tips to Prepare for an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)

8 Tips to Prepare for an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)

April 30, 2021 //  by Ortiz Law Firm//  Leave a Comment

A part of the long-term disability insurance claims process is to submit to an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME). Although you have been diagnosed with a disability by your doctor(s), the insurance company will want to obtain an “independent” evaluation of their own. But the doctors that are performing this “independent” evaluation are paid by the insurance company and have an interest in keeping them happy by giving you an unfavorable exam. In this article, we dive into the process and how you can prepare yourself for your IME.

Be Careful During The Phone Interview

Tip #1: It is common for the insurance company to call you and ask that you have an independent medical evaluation. While they have you on the phone, they will probably ask you if it’s okay to do an in-depth phone interview. Do not volunteer any extra information. Simply respond and stop. The purpose of this phone interview is to interrogate you about your disability. The facts and comments that you say will be recorded and used against you if you are inconsistent with your answers. What you say in the phone interview needs to match what you tell your doctor as well. They will review what you say to the doctor about your symptoms and pain levels. If what you say to the doctor does not match what you say to the insurance company, this will allow them to say you are untruthful.

Your activities also need to align with your responses during the phone interview. You will most likely be under surveillance during the time between the phone interview and your appointment with the independent medical evaluator. For this reason, it is important to not push the boundaries of your restrictions by doing something you shouldn’t be doing. For example: If you have told the insurance company that you cannot stand, lift, or pull heavy objects, it is probably not a good time to cut the grass. 

Schedule an Appointment with Your Doctor

Tip #2: Once you are given the date and time of your IME appointment, call your primary care doctor, and request an appointment for the same day. This should be the doctor that has been providing your care during your disability. This appointment is important for two reasons. First, it shows that you had a physical with your doctor the same day as your IME. Second, sometimes the IME examiner can be a little harsh when they are examining you, which can leave you swollen and in pain. The exam performed by your doctor can help document this by including these symptoms in your notes. This documentation can be extremely important in showing arbitrary and opinionated reports by the IME examiner.

Review Your Medical History

Tip #3: Review your medical history and previous illnesses before your IME. An easy way for the examiner to “catch” you in a lie is when they ask about your medical history, and you get your facts confused. Although it is common not to remember every lab result and surgery date (especially if you’ve had multiple surgeries). The IME examiner will use your confusion to claim your case is fraudulent. By studying your medical records, you will be more at ease when asked to recite your medical history. Items to focus on are chronological medical history, a statement of the nature and extent of your disability, the last day you worked and how your disability affects your daily life (dressing/undressing, eating and preparing meals, using the bathroom, moving around from one place to another); the list of limitations and restrictions your doctors have given you; and your treatment plan that was discussed with your previous doctor.

An experienced IME examiner will take every opportunity to trap you if you omit information or get your dates confused.

Request a Copy of The Report In Advance

Tip #4: You have the right to request a copy of the IME report to be sent to you and your primary doctor. This request needs to be sent by certified return receipt requested. Otherwise, the insurance company can stay they never received your request.

Consider Requesting a Continuance

Tip #5: If the insurance company gives you an appointment date that doesn’t give you or your attorney enough time to research the credentials of the IME examiner, request a continuance.

Never Go Alone

Tip #6: Never attend your IME exam alone. Bring a friend or family member with you to support you, ask questions, and take notes for you. Take someone with you that is assertive and looking out for your best interest. This type of person is more likely to protect you if the examiner gets too rough or starts to harass you. Having an extra person with you in case you need to take a break when you are exhausted will help you.

On the day of your examination, be aware that you will probably be under surveillance. Do not do anything during the day that your doctor has restricted you from doing. If you have been ordered to use a cane, use your cane or if you are required to wear a back brace, make sure you wear a back brace. It will be a good idea to bring a camera and take photos of your body if you are swollen afterward. The IME examiners have been known to say that the person is not swollen after the exam. However, photos can prove they are untruthful.

Watch Out For Tricks

Tip #7: The IME examiner will try to trick you during the exam. They will touch places on your body that are not connected to any nerve, joint, or muscle and ask you if that hurts. If you say yes, they will assume that you are being untruthful and label your claim as false. One test is called Waddell’s Signs. There are five components to Waddell’s.

Tenderness – The examiner will touch or lightly pinch you over different parts of your body that are commonly known not to cause pain. If you say it’s tender or sensitive, they will think you exaggerate your symptoms. If you claim to have pain in areas that are not localized to the area of the injury, they will also say you are exaggerating your symptoms. Some illnesses like fibromyalgia affect the entire body, but if you express that you have pain all over your body, the examiner will be suspicious of your reactions.

Simulation tests – Simulation tests are used to test for a broad range of things. But they can also be a trap. For example, if the examiner pushes down on the top of your head and you say that it hurts your lower back, they will say you are exaggerating. If the examiner may also test your range of motion by asking you to stand and then twisting your upper torso; if you say that it hurts your lower back, they will say you are exaggerating.

Distraction tests – If the IME examiner does find something wrong with you, he/she may try to distract you by performing another test without explaining that to you. If you do not give the reaction they are looking for, they will be suspicious.

Regional Disturbances – Complaining about pain, muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in an area that is outside of the range of nerves, the examiner may claim you are exaggerating.

Overreaction – If you cringe, contort, or scream in pain, the examiner will see this as an overreaction to the exam and say you are exaggerating your symptoms.

The Insurer and Examiner Are Not On Your Side

Tip #8: Remember that the examiner is not there to give you medical advice. They are there to prove to the insurance company how severe your disability is and will try to disprove you by putting you through these grueling exams. Try to stick to yes or no responses to the examiner’s questions. Although you want to believe that this medical professional would be there to look at you objectively, they are paid by the insurance company so do your best not to volunteer any information that can be used against you.

Consult with a Disability Attorney

An independent medical evaluation is far from “independent.” Since the insurance company pays for the IME examiner, they often have a more favorable opinion for the insurance company. Using these eight steps, you can better prepare for and protect yourself during an IME.

Using an experienced disability attorney will also help you protect yourself against insurance investigators. The Ortiz Law Firm is based in Florida, but represents claimants across the country. You can schedule your free case evaluation with no obligation by calling (888) 321-8131. We will fight to get you the Long-Term Disability Benefits you deserve.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

Category: Additional Parts Of A Claim That Do Not Happen in Every Case, Long Term Disability

Recent Posts

  • How to Win a Long Term Disability Appeal: Do’s and Don’ts
  • 3 Steps You Must Take Right Now If Your LTD Benefits Are Terminated!
  • Leveraging the Grid Rules to Secure SSDI Benefits After Age 50
  • What Is an On-The-Record Decision in a Social Security Disability Claim?
  • Understanding the Difference Between Diagnosis and Functional Impairment in Long Term Disability Claims
Previous Post: « Field Interviews: How To Prepare & What To Do
Next Post: What No One Tells You About Resigning Due to a Disability and Stopping Work »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Top Ten Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Long Term Disability Claim

View All Resources

"I highly recommend Ortiz Law Firm. Very friendly staff. They helped me win my appeal against Liberty Mutual. Thank you all for being the best!!"

Lavanda T.

View All Testimonials

Learn More About Long Term Disability

  • Areas We Serve
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Denials and Appeals
  • Your Chances of Getting Approved
  • Medical Eligibility
  • Additional Parts That Do Not Happen in Every Case
  • Medical Conditions That May Qualify
  • Long Term Disability Insurance Carriers
  • Occupations That May Qualify
  • LTD Federal Court Case Summaries

Footer

Contact Us

Our experienced disability law firm is ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

(888) 321-8131
316 S Baylen St., Ste 590
Pensacola, FL 32502

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Claims We Handle

  • Group Long Term Disability
  • ERISA Disability Claims
  • Individual Disability Insurance
  • Social Security Disability Claims
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Florida Personal Injury

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Free Resources
  • Client Testimonials
  • Case Results
  • Nationwide Representation
  • Refer a Case

Site Footer

© 2023 Ortiz Law Firm

Sitemap | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!