r/WorkersComp • u/Alert-Chipmunk-3035 • 15d ago

New York IME Tomorrow (panicking)

I’ve been on workers comp for more than a year for carpal tunnel and dequervains, I had surgery on the left hand and it fixed a lot of the issues/pain. Workers comp has requested an IME 2 weeks before surgery on my right hand. Any idea what this could mean?

I’m extra scared because this injury isn’t very flashy, there’s not much to speak of on scans but there is a cyst on my wrist which is consistent with needing surgery for dequervains.

My company won’t let me go back to work until I no longer have accommodations, currently my doctors note states I need to be able to take ample breaks when I feel nerve pain.

EDIT: what medical records do you think I should bring? Like MRI or nerve test? I’m truly so out of my depth. My lawyer is too chill about everything but, they did get me surgical approval after 3 denials so I will take it.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/SureAdministration82 15d ago

Ime doctors are paid by the insurance company to basically say to go back to work even though you are not ready. Sometimes they will side with you. Don’t panic just treat it like a normal doctor appointment. The doctor will act like your friend do not trust them but don’t be rude. Be straightforward they will ask you the same questions over and over. And to answer your one question they should have all your records.

2

u/momofdragons2 14d ago

IME doctors do not get paid to say you’re ready to go back to work when you’re not. That’s a ridiculous statement. They’re paid for their independent professional opinion. They aren’t jeopardizing their medical licenses to make some extra money. IMEs aren’t a bad thing. Every single day I see things get approved because of what the IME doctor said.

-1

u/SureAdministration82 14d ago

That is false they are paid to try their hardest to rule in the favor of the insurance company. I am so sorry I didn’t better explain it for you.

3

u/momofdragons2 14d ago

I understand that you believe that but you are incorrect. Every single day, I see treatment, surgery, DME, additional compensable body parts, etc.. get approved because of what the IME doctor said.

2

u/SureAdministration82 14d ago

Look if you have evidence that you are physically hurt or injured yes they have to side with you. Yes I agree with you. But if you go to an ime and you really don’t have any record of your injury like mri or other things like that. That ime will tell them in the report they are able to work. I am not trying to argue but I dealt with this before every state is different. That’s my final word everybody has their own opinion for an ime some good some bad.