Understanding Independent Medical Exams in Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Cases

An Independent Medical Exam (IME) is a medical evaluation performed by a physician who is not your personal doctor. Instead, this doctor is selected and paid by the workers’ compensation insurance company. The IME provides an opinion on your injury, the treatment you need, and your ability to return to work. 

Unlike your personal doctor, the IME physician does not provide ongoing treatment. Their role is to deliver a report that may influence company’s decision on your benefits. 

Why Are IMEs Requested? 

Insurance companies request IMEs for a variety of reasons: 

1. Confirming the Diagnosis – To verify the nature and extent of your injury. 

2. Reviewing Treatment Plans – To assess whether the care you are receiving is considered necessary and appropriate. 

3. Work Capacity Evaluations – To determine whether you are able to return to work, with or without restrictions. 

4. Addressing Disputes – To provide another opinion if there is a disagreement between your doctor and the insurance company. 

These exams are especially common in industries that are vital to Wisconsin, such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and food service fields, where workers’ compensation claims are more frequent. 

How an IME Can Impact Your Claim 

The IME report carries significant weight. If it supports your personal physician’s opinion, it can help validate your claim. However, if it challenges your doctor’s findings, the insurance company may try to reduce your benefits, limit treatment, or push for an early return to work. 

That’s why having Di Renzo & Bomier’s knowledgeable attorneys on your side matters. Our team understands how insurance companies use IMEs and we know how to challenge unfair or incomplete evaluations in Wisconsin workers’ compensation cases. 

Preparing for an Independent Medical Exam 

You cannot choose the IME doctor, but you can take steps to prepare: 

• Be Honest and Clear: Share your symptoms accurately, without exaggeration. 

• Stay Consistent: Make sure your description of the injury matches what you have told your treating physician. 

• Know the Purpose: Remember that the IME doctor is not treating you; they are evaluating you for the insurance company. 

• Seek Legal Guidance: Talking with an attorney beforehand helps you know what to expect and how to respond if the IME report is unfavorable. 

Our attorneys regularly help workers prepare for IMEs, ensuring their rights are protected throughout the process. 

Protecting Your Rights After an IME 

If the IME report differs from your personal doctor’s findings, it does not mean your claim is over. At Di Renzo & Bomier, we carefully review these reports, compare them with your medical records, and take action when insurance companies use IMEs to limit benefits. 

For workers in Northeast Wisconsin, where industries like manufacturing and healthcare are critical to the economy, these exams can affect families, futures, and financial stability. That is why we are committed to standing by your side. 

Workplace injuries affect more than just your job, they impact your health, your family, your future, and your financial state. While Independent Medical Exams may be part of the workers’ compensation process, you don’t have to go through them alone. 

At Di Renzo & Bomier, our knowledgeable attorneys are here to provide guidance while protecting your rights and helping you get the support you need after a workplace injury. When facing an independent medical exam Wisconsin workers’ compensation claim, you can count on us to stand by your side. 

We’re Here For You.