Houston Disability Attorneys

Just another WordPress site

Call Us Today

713.993.7311
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disability Denial Services
    • Social Security Disability Denials
      • Galveston Social Security Disability Attorney
    • Long Term Disability Denials
    • Veterans Disabilty Denials
  • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • What Is The Social Security Disability Appeals Process?
    • Do I Need An Attorney For My Disability Claim?
    • What Information Will My Disability Attorney Need?
    • What Does Being Disabled Mean?
    • What Are My Options For Disability Benefits?
    • My Social Security Claim Was Denied. What Do I Do Next?
    • Glossary of SSDI Terms
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

An Independent Medical Exam Could Determine the Outcome of Your Long-Term Disability Claim

December 20, 2018 | By Natalie | Disability Attorneys, Disability Denials

An Independent Medical Exam Could Determine the Outcome of Your Long-Term Disability ClaimWhen you file a claim for long-term disability benefits in Houston, it’s not uncommon for an employer, insurance company or legal counsel to request that you submit to an Independent Medical Examination (IME). However, in many cases, these examinations are anything but “independent.”

In order to collect long-term disability benefits, you must establish that your disability is so severe that you are unable to return to work. Even though your personal physician has performed a thorough examination and documented your disability, the insurance company will usually want a second opinion before making their final decision about your claim. That’s the purpose of the IME — to provide the insurance company with a second opinion that either confirms or disputes the diagnosis arrived at by the first physician.

What Is an IME?

An IME is a medical or psychiatric evaluation to determine the current status of your medical condition and/or determine whether the condition is related to employment.The IME process usually involves a short physical examination performed by a doctor who is selected and paid by the insurance company. Unlike your regular doctor, the physician conducting the IME will not recommend or provide any medical treatment. There is also no legal doctor/patient relationship, so nothing said between you and the physician is considered to be confidential. Following the examination, the physician will submit a report and provide an opinion on your condition.

How “Independent” Is an Independent Medical Examination?

The fact that the same parties requesting the IME also choose the doctor who will make the examination — and pay for their services — often raises concerns as to how “independent” these examinations really are. Many of these doctors have been selected because they can be relied upon by the insurance company to provide a diagnosis that will be favorable to their interests — regardless of the patient’s actual condition.

So, can you refuse to undergo an IME? No — not if you want to collect disability benefits. Most disability policies contain language that specifically states that benefits may be denied or suspended if you fail to submit to an IME.

While you may not be able to avoid the IME, there are things you can do to protect your rights.

  • Don’t get caught off guard — be prepared to answer any questions about your condition.
  • Be honest — don’t exaggerate your symptoms.
  • Insist on having a witness present during the exam.
  • Record the exam using a cellphone.
  • Ask to review all paperwork and other documents sent to the physician by the insurance company.
  • Ask to receive a copy of the physician’s report.

Get a disability lawyer involved in the process, especially if your claim is denied because of the IME. An attorney will know how to obtain and assemble all the necessary documentation that supports your claim and make certain it is received by the examining physician. They will carefully review the IME physician’s report to challenge and correct any factual errors that may have been included. If your claim is denied, your attorney will prepare an appeal that addresses the factors that led to your claim being rejected.

Don’t Let an IME Sink Your Long-term Disability Claim

The results of an IME can have a huge impact in a long-term disability benefits case. If you feel that an independent medical examination has been used to limit or terminate your disability benefits, you should seek the services of an experienced disability denial attorney without delay.

M. Stanley Whitehead is a leading board-certified Houston disability benefits attorney. He has extensive experience in successfully assisting clients with long-term disability claims. We may not be able to prevent you from having to undergo an IME, but we will fight to protect your rights and ensure you get as fair and impartial an examination as possible. Contact us to schedule a free consultation meeting to discuss your long-term disability case.

How Can We Help?

Get The Benefits You Deserve
  • By submitting this form I agree to the following disclaimer.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Read Our Client's Testimonials
Attorney M. Stanley Whitehead - 5 out of 5 based on 36 user reviews.  
"I would highly recommend this firm to everyone, Wonderful firm, they took my case , when I was told by a few firms in Ohio that I did not have a case, Marc Whitehead and Associates settled the case in a timely fashion"  Delecia via
"I want to thank the office of Marc Whitehead and especially Jaime Almaguer who was my caseworker. I had begun the disability process myself until I heard about this lawyers' office in Texas. Seemed strange working with folks across the country that I would never meet. Nevertheless, they were able to get my disability first time around. I felt comfortable discussing my issues privately with them and being able to let Jaime do the work. He was responsive, caring and very professional. Thank you all so much, this has changed my life."  Lynne via

Click Here To Read More Attorney M. Stanley Whitehead Reviews

About Us

Disability attorney Marc Stanley Whitehead, Esq. is the founding partner of Marc Whitehead & Associates, which he established in 1992 in Houston, Texas.

Navigation

  • Home
  • Services
  • About Us
  • FAQ’s
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

Contact Info

Law Offices Of M. Stanley Whitehead
4412 Stanford St #1
Houston, Tx 77006
Phone: (713) 993-7311 URL of Map
Copyright © 2017 Law Offices Of M. Stanley Whitehead
Marc Whitehead is the attorney responsible for the content of this website. Principal office is in Houston, Texas. Contacting us through the website does not create an attorney client relationship. Your personal health information is subject to electronic disclosure to those individuals and entities assisting the law firm with your case.
Attorney Marketing and Law Firm Website Design by Thunderhead Marketing.

Copyright © 2023 · Whitehead Genesis Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Houston Disability Attorneys
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disability Denial Services
    • Social Security Disability Denials
      • Galveston Social Security Disability Attorney
    • Long Term Disability Denials
    • Veterans Disabilty Denials
  • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • What Is The Social Security Disability Appeals Process?
    • Do I Need An Attorney For My Disability Claim?
    • What Information Will My Disability Attorney Need?
    • What Does Being Disabled Mean?
    • What Are My Options For Disability Benefits?
    • My Social Security Claim Was Denied. What Do I Do Next?
    • Glossary of SSDI Terms
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact Us