#4 What are the effects of an Independent Medical Exam (IME) on my treatment from a car accident?

QUESTION: What are the effects of an Independent Medical Examination (IME) on my medical treatment from a car accident?

ANSWER: An Independent Medical Examination (IME) often signals the insurance company’s intent to stop paying for your car accident-related medical treatment. Despite this, it is important for your recovery and to protect your benefits to inform your healthcare providers about the IME and continue with your treatments. When an insurance company is requiring that you attend an IME, consulting with a personal injury attorney can be very beneficial. They will advise you on the IME process and the requirements you must meet to be in the best possible position to have your medical expenses covered so that you can have a full recovery.

What are the effects of an Independent Medical Examination (IME) on my medical treatment from a car accident? 

About 95% of the time when an insurance company sends you for an IME it means  they’re going to end your PIP benefits and stop paying your medical bills.

What’s most important for you to have a full recovery as quickly as possible is to continue getting your medical treatment — even if your insurance company is threatening to cut off your PIP coverage.

The IME is part of the insurance company system to minimize money that they have to pay out for your medical treatment for your personal injury claim. Remember, you’re dealing with a large company that is focused on saving money and not helping with your recovery from your car accident.

The insurance company’s only interest in sending you for an IME is to get the medical report they need to justify stopping your PIP coverage and paying for the medical treatment you need to help you recover from injuries from your auto accident.

If you hear from the insurance company they are requiring that you have an IME, continue with your medical treatment, and let your medical providers know as soon as possible.

It’s important for your recovery and your personal injury claim to not stop seeing the providers who are treating you for your injuries from the car accident.

It’s also a good idea to talk with an experienced personal injury attorney if you are required to go for an IME to stay in compliance with the insurance company for your PIP benefits to continue. The lawyer provides a no-fee, no-obligation initial consultation. They will look at the unique facts of your case and advise you on whether you should or shouldn’t follow through with the IME appointment — and if they’ll be able to enforce your rights and have the PIP carrier pay for your medical treatment.

If you’ve been told by the insurance adjuster that you have to go to an IME, make sure to do the following:

• Let the medical providers you’re treating with know right away.
• Don’t stop your medical treatment even if the insurance company is threatening to stop your benefits
• Talk to a personal injury lawyer who has the experience to help you make sure you are making the best decision considering the details of your case.

Whether you’re our client or not, we want to be a bridge of support for you.

We’ve developed a robust library of articles and videos organized into four topics which include our responses to the personal injury claim-related questions we’re asked most often.

• Top 10 Personal Injury Claim Mistakes to Avoid
• What You Need to Know About Your Claim
• How Are My Medical Bills & Wage Loss Paid
• How to Prepare for Your Independent Medical Exam

The articles provide advice and guidelines to help you navigate each phase of the personal injury claims process. Whether we represent you or not, we are passionate about helping you protect your rights, you receiving the medical care you need to recover from your injuries, and having the information you need to avoid mistakes that can harm your personal injury claim.