Independent Medical Examination

Also known as physician exams, chart reviews, medical discovery consultation or second opinion exams and/or reviews, this is an exam and/or review of supplied medical or psychological records that is performed by the appropriate professional to render an opinion regarding a specific issue or issues.

An examination which renders a percentage of whole body impairment based on official and nationally accepted guidelines. AMA Guides are used as bases to rate permanent impairments. A permanent impairment is defined as one that has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and is well stabilized and unlikely to change substantially in the next year with or without medical treatment.

An opinion rendered on examination of the client and review of medical records regarding the appropriateness of the requested FMLA leave. The United States Department of Labor states “FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.” For additional resources on FMLA in Ohio, click the following link: 
http://das.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=VOMtu36bIe8%3D&tabid=342

A fitness for duty examination is a group of tests that explore the physical, emotional and mental capacities to safely and effectively gauge the performance of the essential functions within the realm the employee’s job duties. These tests are conducted by an independent, licensed specialist. These will determine if the employees are able to perform the tasks associated with essential job functions. Fitness for Duty exams also assesses that the persons can perform these tasks without increased risk of harm to themselves or to others. This would include threats of violence toward others, obvious changes to employee’s performance/behavior or the incapacity to meet performance standards.

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is an objective set of tests and observations to evaluate an individual's capacity to perform a variety of tasks, usually directed for work activities related to a position of employment. The FCE process compares the demands of the job, and work environment, to the individual's body mechanics, functions, structures, and health status and allows one to objectively evaluate a person's ability to participate in work. The FCE usually consists of standardized assessments that offer results in performance-based measures and demonstrates predictive value about the individual's return to work. FCEs that are traditionally used, measure an individual's ability to perform the physical demands of a job. This examination is commonly completed by a certified physical therapist and reviewed by a physician. It is a specific evaluation that determines the individual’s functional capacity at that point.

Vocational assessment is a common term used in the method of analyzing an individual's level of functioning in relation to decision making for the person's vocational options, retraining needs, and a labor market analysis. Recruitment, job placement or return to work are also functions with which a vocational assessment can assist. A full report usually includes an individual’s interests, abilities, aptitudes, and capacities to identify strengths, set vocational goals and outline potential career options. The doctor will interview the individual, collect routine background information, and perform/screen the individual with standardized testing that seems to fit the scope of that person. The assessment also may take into account the individual's functional and work capacity and identify transferable skills.

An unbiased review by a professional of the same profession as the original opinion rendered, to ensure accurate diagnoses and treatment plan. The review often occurs when questions arise regarding the diagnosis, deficiency, injury, and treatment plan or if the individual cannot be seen personally by the professional. Peer review will often address the medical necessity, suitability, practicality or causality for cases such as Worker’s comp claims or disability and insurance claims. The peer review includes a summary of the medical assessment with supporting documentation. Encompassed in this process are reference related sources, the reasoning for such determinations, and the outcome of the report.

Also known as physician chart reviews, medical discovery consultation or second opinion reviews, this is a review of supplied medical or psychological records that is performed by the appropriate professional to render an opinion regarding a specific issue or issues.

An examination of a candidate to evaluate the likelihood of success in a position before employment. These examinations may be comprised of the following: cognitive, personality, physical ability, and sample job task, physical, emotional, or mental capacities. The pre-employment test allows an employer to create a good job fit/match of candidate to the potential positions.

An evaluation based on the mechanism of injury, the examination and the medical records, which renders an opinion regarding the issues of the accident.

QDSI is an independent medical evaluator who works in conjunction with the Veterans Evaluations Services to evaluate and help determine whether a service-related condition has worsened. The independent evaluator carefully follows the VES’s established standardized checklist of questions and functionally test to impartially render and evaluation based on the findings of the examination. For more information on VES, please visit the VES Website: http://www.vesservices.com/?page_id=188

Opinions, reviews, and evaluations from an independent medical specialist pertaining to a specific medical/injury/illness issues going to court. This testimony is often used to gather information about the specific injury or issue to help the side develop and support their stance of the particular issue. Depositions and court testimony typically occur in Workers comp cases for on the job injuries.