Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs) Explained

FAQs	Answers
1. What is a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME?	A Pediatric Rehabilitation IME is an evaluation conducted by a medical professional who specializes in assessing and treating children with physical disabilities or injuries. It aims to determine the child’s functional abilities, potential for improvement, and need for ongoing rehabilitation services.
2. What is an Anxiety Disorders IME?	An Anxiety Disorders IME is an evaluation conducted by a mental health professional specializing in anxiety disorders. It aims to assess and diagnose individuals with anxiety disorders, determine the severity of their condition, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
3. What is the difference between a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME and an Anxiety Disorders IME?	The main difference is the focus of evaluation. A Pediatric Rehabilitation IME specifically focuses on children with physical disabilities or injuries, evaluating their functional abilities and need for rehabilitation services. On the other hand, an Anxiety Disorders IME focuses on diagnosing and assessing individuals with anxiety disorders, considering their mental health and recommending suitable treatment options.
4. Who typically conducts Pediatric Rehabilitation IMEs?	Pediatric Rehabilitation IMEs are typically conducted by medical professionals such as pediatric physiatrists, pediatric rehabilitations specialists, or pediatric occupational therapists.
5. Who typically conducts Anxiety Disorders IMEs?	Anxiety Disorders IMEs are typically conducted by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or licensed therapists specializing in anxiety disorders.
6. What are the common reasons for needing a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME?	Some common reasons for needing a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME include assessing the functional abilities of a child with a physical disability or injury, determining the need for ongoing rehabilitation services, evaluating progress or setbacks in rehabilitation, analyzing the impact of the disability on daily activities, and providing expert opinions for legal or insurance purposes.
7. What are the common reasons for needing an Anxiety Disorders IME?	Some common reasons for needing an Anxiety Disorders IME include diagnosing and assessing the severity of an individual’s anxiety disorder, evaluating the impact of the disorder on daily functioning, determining the need for treatment or therapy, providing expert opinions for legal or employment-related matters, and assessing the individual’s eligibility for disability benefits.
8. How long does a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME typically take?	The duration of a Pediatric Rehabilitation IME can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the specific assessments required. It may take several hours or even multiple sessions to thoroughly evaluate a child’s functional abilities and rehabilitation needs.
9. How long does an Anxiety Disorders IME typically take?	The duration of an Anxiety Disorders IME can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the assessments required. It may involve multiple sessions and typically takes several hours to assess and diagnose the individual’s anxiety disorder.
10. Are IME reports confidential?	IME reports are typically confidential and are only shared with authorized individuals or entities involved in the evaluation process, such as the referring physician, insurance companies, and legal representatives. However, the specific confidentiality policies may vary, so it is important to clarify this with the evaluating professional or organization.