If you’ve been scheduled for an Independent Medical Examination (IME), it can feel a little intimidating. These doctors aren’t there to treat you. They’re there to give an opinion for the insurance company, your employer, or sometimes a legal case.
Think of it like a second opinion, but one that’s meant to be completely “independent.”
The tricky part is that they’re not just looking at your injury or illness. They’re observing you, comparing notes, and sometimes even reading between the lines.
In this post, we’ll break down what IME doctors look for in the examination.
#1 Consistency
IME doctors want the puzzle pieces to fit.
They’ll compare what you say during the appointment with what’s in your medical records, prior test results, and even earlier statements you’ve made.
If you told your treating doctor you can’t lift more than ten pounds, but you tell the IME doctor twenty pounds, they’ll notice.
They also compare your reported symptoms with their own physical exam findings.
If you describe constant, severe pain but show no reaction when they check the affected area, that’s going to raise questions for them.
The more your story, symptoms, and exam results line up, the more credible you’ll seem.
Also Read: 10 IME Doctor Tricks You Should Know
#2 Signs Of Exaggeration Or Underreporting
Some people unintentionally downplay symptoms because they don’t want to seem dramatic. Others might overstate them hoping it helps their case.
IME doctors look for both.
They’re trained to spot physical responses that don’t match the complaint.
For example, if you claim you can’t bend your knee but later sit comfortably with it bent when you think they’re not paying attention, they’ll notice.
On the flip side, if you say everything’s fine but your movements look stiff or guarded, they’ll make a note of that too.
Their objective is to figure out what’s actually going on – no more, no less.
#3 Evidence Of Injury Or Illness
At the end of the day, the IME doctor has to confirm there’s a legitimate medical issue.
They’ll rely on:
- Physical examination results
- Diagnostic imaging like X-rays or MRIs
- Lab test results
They’re checking for objective proof. If your shoulder pain is backed up by a torn ligament on an MRI, that’s clear evidence.
If nothing shows up on scans or lab work, they might still believe you have pain, but without evidence, their report may lean toward “no objective findings.”
#4 Cause Of The Condition
Another big thing on their checklist is figuring out what caused your issue. They’re looking for a link between your condition and the event you say triggered it.
That could be a workplace accident, a car crash, or some other incident.
If you had preexisting injuries or health problems, they’ll dig into that too.
Say you had chronic back pain before a fall at work, they’ll try to figure out if your current condition is mostly from the old problem, the new injury, or a mix of both.
This part of the report can play a big role in how much compensation or coverage you get.
#5 Degree Of Impairment
An IME is also about measuring how much it affects your day-to-day life.
The doctor will note your range of motion, your strength, your ability to perform tasks, and how much pain limits you.
This helps determine if you can work, and if so, in what capacity.
Also Read: Can I Get A Loan From My Workers’ Comp Settlement?
For example, you might not be able to return to your old job lifting heavy boxes, but you could work in a role that requires lighter duties. Sometimes the impairment rating they give ends up being a key factor in settlements or benefits.
#6 Treatment Necessity
An IME doctor might be asked to give an opinion on whether the treatments you’re getting are still necessary.
That could mean physical therapy, surgery, injections, or even prescription medications.
They’ll look at your progress so far and compare it to standard recovery timelines. If you’ve been in physical therapy for months with little change, they might say it’s no longer beneficial.
On the other hand, if you’re still clearly improving, they might support continuing treatment.
#7 Recovery Progress
IME doctors are also going to note how far along you are in recovery.
That means looking at what’s improved, what’s stayed the same, and what’s gotten worse. They may compare your current state to earlier medical reports to see if your healing is on track.
If you’re recovering more slowly than expected, they might explore reasons why, like complications, other health conditions, or not following treatment plans.
On the other hand, if you’re ahead of schedule, they’ll record that too.
Also Read: What NOT To Do While On Workers’ Comp
#8 Your Behavior During The Exam
This one catches a lot of people off guard.
IME doctors pay close attention to how you act during the entire visit and not just during the exam itself. They’ll notice how you walk from the waiting room, how you sit, how you get up, and how you move when you think no one’s watching.
It’s not about spying on you; it’s part of their assessment.
If someone walks in limping but later walks normally when leaving, that’s a red flag.
Consistent behavior helps support your case. Inconsistent behavior can raise doubts, even if you’re genuinely in pain.
Bottom Line
IME doctors look for consistency, honesty, and clear medical evidence. They want to understand how your condition affects your daily life, what caused it, and what treatment makes sense going forward.
The best way to approach it? Be truthful, be clear, and don’t try to guess what they want to hear. Stick to your actual symptoms and abilities, even if they vary from day to day.
That way, their report is more likely to reflect your real situation, and not just how you performed on the exam table that day.
