What Is an Independent Medical Examination?

An independent medical examination (IME) is a medical evaluation performed by a medical professional on a patient who was not previously involved in the treatment of that patient, to evaluate the patient’s course of prior treatment and current condition. IMEs are conducted by doctors, psychologists, and other licensed healthcare professionals in essentially all medical disciplines, depending on the purpose of the exam and the claimed injuries. Such examinations are generally conducted in the context of a legal or administrative proceeding, at the request of the party opposing the patient’s request for benefits. Conducting an independent medical examination does not establish a typical doctor-patient relationship as exists when a clinician treats a patient. Thus, a “limited doctor-patient relationship” exists when conducting independent medical examinations.