Why am I not allowed to have a chaperone at a worker's compensation IME?
 

Why am I not allowed to have a chaperone at a worker's compensation IME? I was scheduled to have an IME for a knee injury that occured while at work. I took my husband with me, as my chaperone. I did this for several reasons. First, I believe that the doctor would be more inclined to be honest with a witness in the room. Second, it protects me from any inappropriate conduct or contact. Third, I object to a married woman being alone with another man, without the husband present on spiritual grounds. Especially since I would be required to disrobe. The doctor refused to perform the exam. I asked if he would do the exam with a female nurse present, and he refused that as well. Worker's compensation closed my case, claiming that I obstructed the exam. I did not know that I was not allowed to have a chaperone.

Why am I not allowed to have a chaperone or a witness at the IME? I did not see a law prohibiting that in the Arizona Revised Statues. Thank you,
Macy

You well may have the right to a chaperone. Most workers comp law is not found in the statutes, but rather in regulations set up under the statutes. They are accessable, but not necessarily easily. I wonder if your state department of Labor has an ombudsman or similar office. My guess is that with proper legal knowledge you might be able to win this. Good luck!

Is it legal to tape the ime? Just a thought. You could say because of medications and being forgetful you would like to tape the medical evaluation so you could refer too it as needed. Just a thought.
This way if you didn't agree with something you could write a formal letter to your adjudicator discussing the issue.

Ime
 

I took my husband to an IME
Had to he drives.
Glad I Did
California doesn't state you cannot have anyone with you.

I go to all my husbands exams. He has a hard time remembering and he cant drive and he tells them that i might have questions too. I refused to leave the room when a wcb doctor wanted to exam him. he was mad but too bad I needed to be there because I was not going to trust a wcb doctor. you have the right to have anyone in the room with you.

Our QME Dr. did not allow me to have my wife come in, but I was able to have a legel aid from my attorney's office with me for support. And the Dr. did not get angry

wondering the same things...
 

hi all!

I am scheduled for my second IME at the end of the month. The first IME I went to I brought my boyfriend along and it didn't seem to be a problem. Unfortunately, the doctor still basically said he did a very in-depth exam on me (which he didn't) and said I was perfectly fine:eek: I was diagnosed with rsd less than three months later and that is why I have to go to a second exam. I am very nervous because this will basically be the deciding factor in determining whether or not they will pay my medical bills associated with this life-long disease. I do indeed intend to bring someone with me and would also like to tape-record appt. to avoid any future confusion on what exactly happens during the "independant exam":( I would like to know how to find out whether this is legal or not? any suggestions, advice, kind words appreciated:hug: jenny

I know that I took someone with me to an IME and they were not allowed in, but they told me that if I did want someone present, you have to ok it or have it cleared before your appt. I suggest that as soon as you receive your paperwork next time for your appt., call either the W/C adjuster or the doctor's office to have it OKed first.

In the state of Wisconsin you are entitled to either have your Doctor or Lawyer present at your own cost.

wow I had my husband in with me.
do you have an attorney? you can fight this I think on your religious beliefs. worth a try at least.

Hmmmmm.....I was planning on bringing a witness to my next IME in December. I don't understand how a doctor can risk his liscense by lying about the exam, but from reading here, I know that I'm not the only one that it's happened to.

I guess I'll have to check with my lawyer to see if I can bring someone or record it.

According to workman's compensation law, you are entitled to have someone accompany you throughout the IME. I take my LAWYER, that really puts the IME on edge and honest. Check with your state workman's compensation website, for the statute.
Good luck!
Rivkah

Macy,
It sounds from some of the replys that there really is not a firm policy in place even within the same state. I did my IME in Wisconsin and my wife went in with me and yet others said they were not allowed. I would stand your ground, I don't think it is at all reasonable that you could not have at least your spouse with you.
Best of Luck

I go with my hubby....
 

I go into the exam room with my husband as a matter of course, he can be forgetful...the dr. hand the prescriptions directly to me and has never objected to me being there. Only the office manager kicked me out once saying I couldn't have our service dogs in the room...we had to wait out in 100+ heat outside.