Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs) Explained
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What is a Traumatic Brain Injury IME? | An IME conducted by a medical professional to evaluate and assess the impact of a traumatic brain injury on an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. |
| 2. What is a Movement Disorders IME? | An IME conducted by a medical professional to evaluate and assess movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, etc., in an individual. |
| 3. What is the purpose of a Traumatic Brain Injury IME? | The purpose is to determine the extent of the injury, the impact it has on the individual’s daily life, and assess the need for ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or disability benefits. |
| 4. What is the purpose of a Movement Disorders IME? | The purpose is to diagnose and evaluate the severity of movement disorders, determine the appropriate treatment plan, assess the functional limitations it causes, and evaluate the need for accommodations or assistance. |
| 5. Who conducts a Traumatic Brain Injury IME? | A qualified medical professional, such as a neurologist, neuropsychologist, or rehabilitation specialist, conducts the evaluation. |
| 6. Who conducts a Movement Disorders IME? | A neurologist or movement disorders specialist with expertise in diagnosing and treating movement disorders conducts the evaluation. |
| 7. What does a Traumatic Brain Injury IME involve? | It involves a comprehensive medical history review, physical and neurological examination, cognitive assessments, imaging studies, and other relevant tests. |
| 8. What does a Movement Disorders IME involve? | It involves a thorough medical history review, physical examination, assessment of movement symptoms, coordination tests, and may require additional diagnostic tests like MRI or EEG. |
| 9. How long does a Traumatic Brain Injury IME usually take? | The duration varies depending on the complexity of the case, but it can range from a few hours to multiple days. |
| 10. How long does a Movement Disorders IME usually take? | The duration depends on the specific disorder being evaluated, but it typically takes a few hours to complete. |