Protecting Yourself in the IME Process
As we have discussed before, disability insurance claimants are often asked to submit to “independent” medical examinations (“IME”) with a doctor chosen by the insurance company.
IMEs are a source of anxiety for many insureds, especially because they are often a first step towards termination of a disability claim. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help ensure that you are treated fairly.
Over the next few days, we will outline some general tips on dealing with IMEs. Keep in mind that these tips are no substitute for the advice of a disability insurance lawyer who knows the specifics of your situation. Hence, today’s tip:
Get your attorney involved. If you don’t have a disability insurance lawyer to help you with your claim, now is a good time to seek some advice. Oftentimes, insurance companies use IMEs to try to show that you aren’t entitled to disability benefits anymore. A lawyer can help protect your rights during the IME process by, among other things, finding out what the disability policy requires (and doesn’t require) and discussing those requirements with your insurer. If you aren’t sure how to find the right lawyer, consider our Questions to Ask When Choosing a Disability Insurance Attorney.
