•  Making ‘Independent Medical Exams’ Independent
  G.V. Rossie and R. D. Gretzinger

1.	The IME program is run by an independent body outside the insurance industry.
2.	There is a standard fee for IMEs.
3.	Establish a registry of qualified health care providers, which includes a dossier of each provider's specialty, extensive educational background and business information.
	They must be licensed health care professionals representing approximately 25 specialties including orthopedic surgeons, medical doctors practicing orthopedic medicine (non-surgical treatment orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, chiropractors, dentists, etc.
	They must be experienced in the treatment of MVA issues.
	They must be actively engaged in clinical practice.
	They can not spend more than one-quarter (1/4) of their professional time doing IMEs.
	They can not receive more than one-quarter (1/4) of their income from IMEs.
4.	When there is a disagreement with the insurance company, a list of five practitioners and their dossiers is sent to both the insurance company and the patient within five days of the request. (The automated data-base picks a block of five members of that specialty in the local area. The next time the computer program creates a new block of five so that the same doctors are not always in the same block.)
	The practitioners must be of the same specialty as the treating doctor.
	Their practice must be located near where the patient resides.
	If the insurance company and the patient cannot come to an agreement, each party crosses two practitioners off the list and the one that is left will do the IME.
	A standardized letter is sent to the doctor that is to do the IME.
	The independent medical examiner must review the patient’s records and the patient may supply additional information.
	The determination of the patient's condition is not to be based on the diagnosis but rather the severity and duration of symptoms, and how the patient's injuries/impairments/ disabilities affect their lifestyle.
	The insurer is required to pay the benefits if the IME practitioner agrees with the patient’s practitioner.
5.	If the IME practitioner does not agree with the patient’s practitioner, a second IME can be requested using the same process. The final result will be in favor of the two practitioners who were in agreement (one of the two IME doctors and the patient’s doctor).
6.	The party requesting the IME is obligated to pay the examiner’s fee.
7.	This whole process is to be completed within 45 days.