At one point or another throughout your recovery, you will be asked to attend an Independent Medical Exam which is better known as an (IME) or as some of us call it… “an insurance medical exam.” You will find yourself asking the same question I did when I was first asked to attend one. I found myself wondering what this exam was and why I was being asked to attend. In my case, I was the plaintiff and the request came from the defence lawyer. It was the defence’s turn to have me examined by their doctor so they could determine the extent of my disabilities.
Tips to Prepare You
IME’s can be an intimidating experience and you will be nervous. From one survivor to another, here are some tips that may help you when you are asked to attend an IME.
- Speak with your lawyer before you attend the exam. He or she should be able to prepare you and answer any questions you may have.
- Try to get a good rest the night before. If you have never been to this doctor’s office, make sure to have proper directions so you arrive on time.
- If you are uncomfortable about driving yourself, ask a family member or friend to take you or seek out public transportation. Make sure the doctor is aware that you did not drive yourself.
- Arrive on time and dress appropriately. Bring a light sweater or jacket as the office may have fluctuating temperatures
- If you wear reading glasses or use any type of assisted devices, bring them to your appointment and use them.
- If you are currently taking medication for your injuries, make sure you bring them with you. You may have to take a dose while you are there and the doctor may ask you what medications you are currently taking.
- Bring a bottle of water with you. Even if you think the appointment may not be that long, there is nothing worse than a dry mouth while you are trying to answer questions.
- Bring your identification with you as the doctor may ask for it. Also note that there should not be any type of financial transaction at this appointment. If the doctor asks for some kind of payment, kindly inform him that you were not aware of this and will need to speak with your lawyer.
- When asked to sign any type of document, please make sure you understand what you are signing. If for some reason you do not feel comfortable signing a document, ask the doctor to explain it to you and if you still feel uncomfortable, ask for a copy to review with your lawyer. Do not sign it unless you understand it.
- Make sure you completely understand each question before you answer it. Take a few seconds to think, and don’t be afraid to clarify if you don’t understand.
- Do not volunteer information and do not discuss any financial, legal or insurance issues.
- The doctor will be examining your demeanor so if something hurts, don’t be afraid to speak up. Similar to an iceberg, the doctor will only see you from the outside and will not be aware of your struggles underneath. Be honest, concise and clear.
- Be courteous and professional at all times. Do not take anything personally. When I attended one of my IME’s, I had a doctor that specialized in physical medicine ask to see the scar on my leg. Once she examined the horrific scar measuring approximately 12 inches long, she was very quick to say to me “I can’t see why you would be in any pain and shook her head.” I continue to deal with chronic pain as well as nerve damage to my legs which was caused by my crash and although I was ready to scream at the doctor, I remained calm and shared my concerns with my lawyer afterwards. Your lawyer needs to be aware of any feedback whether good or bad concerning these appointments.
- Attending an IME can be a stressful experience. When you arrive home, relax and take some time for yourself. You deserve it!
Keep in mind that you may be asked to attend numerous IME’s throughout your recovery and refusing to attend an IME could jeopardize your right to benefits. Always communicate with your legal representative with any concerns you may have before attending.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
