Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs) Explained

Question	Opioid Management IME	Movement Disorders IME
What is the focus of the evaluation?	Assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of opioid treatments for pain management.	Assessing movement disorders and their impact on an individual’s daily functioning.
What conditions are typically evaluated?	Chronic pain conditions that require ongoing opioid therapy.	Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, etc., that affect movement control.
What type of medical professionals conduct the evaluation?	Physicians specializing in pain management and addiction medicine.	Neurologists or movement disorder specialists.
What assessments are usually performed?	Reviewing medical records, conducting physical exams, psychological screenings, urine drug testing, etc.	Performing comprehensive neurological examinations, reviewing medical history, imaging studies, etc.
What are the aims of the evaluation?	To determine the appropriate use of opioids, identify risks, and develop an effective pain management plan.	To diagnose and characterize movement disorders, assess functional impairment, and recommend treatment options.
What are the potential outcomes?	Adjustment of opioid therapy, recommendations for alternative pain management strategies, or identification of misuse/abuse.	Diagnosis confirmation, treatment modification, referral for further diagnostic tests, or disability determination.
Who typically requests these evaluations?	Insurance companies, employers, attorneys, or healthcare providers involved in the patient’s pain management.	Insurance companies, attorneys, or healthcare providers involved in the patient’s neurological condition assessment.
How long does the evaluation process take?	Usually a few hours to half a day, depending on the complexity of the case.	Varies depending on the required tests, but can range from a single visit to multiple appointments.
What is the overall goal of IMEs?	To provide an impartial evaluation and expert opinion to assist in making informed medical, legal, or insurance decisions.	To gather objective information about a specific medical condition to support decision-making processes.
Are these evaluations covered by insurance?	In most cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of the evaluation.	Yes, typically the cost of the evaluation is covered by insurance.