When a chiropractor treats a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident, the patient’s recovery
may eventually be evaluated by another healthcare provider selected by an insurance company or
defense attorney.
This evaluation is commonly called an Independent Medical Examination (IME).
Although the name suggests an entirely neutral examination, an IME is often requested by a
party with a financial interest in the outcome of the personal injury claim.
For chiropractors, understanding how IMEs work, what examiners evaluate, and how the
resulting reports can affect a patient’s case is important. A well-documented treatment history
can make the difference between an IME report that raises legitimate questions and one that
unfairly undermines months of appropriate chiropractic care.