[SandyRI]

Surprisingly enough, I got a notice in the mail for me to appear at an IME in a few weeks with a psychiatrist. Not only that, he's about 70-80 miles away from where I live. There's likely about 200 such doctors, maybe more, between my home and where I have been ordered to travel. Amazing. The legal assistant at my attorney's office tells me that I will be reimbursed for mileage. Or that I can even take a cab. Joy, joy. Like I could tolerate all that bumping around in a CAB for an hour and a half each way!! Instead, my husband will have to take the afternoon of the appt off to drive me - I don't drive that far any more.

Why would the insurance company send me to a shrink for an IME (only my second in a couple of years) when I have a chronic pain condition like RSD?

My first IME was a disaster. I didn't expect the doctor to screw me, and was shocked by the report. My attorney said the report was actually an extremely good one from the guy compared to ones he had seen in the past...the doctor is a real piece of work and everyone in the state knows it. I would imagine the insurance company picked another winner.

Anyone else ordered to see a pyschiatrist for RSD?

Thanks, Sandy

[Jimking]

Originally Posted by SandyRI

Surprisingly enough, I got a notice in the mail for me to appear at an IME in a few weeks with a psychiatrist. Not only that, he's about 70-80 miles away from where I live. There's likely about 200 such doctors, maybe more, between my home and where I have been ordered to travel. Amazing. The legal assistant at my attorney's office tells me that I will be reimbursed for mileage. Or that I can even take a cab. Joy, joy. Like I could tolerate all that bumping around in a CAB for an hour and a half each way!! Instead, my husband will have to take the afternoon of the appt off to drive me - I don't drive that far any more.

Why would the insurance company send me to a shrink for an IME (only my second in a couple of years) when I have a chronic pain condition like RSD?

My first IME was a disaster. I didn't expect the doctor to screw me, and was shocked by the report. My attorney said the report was actually an extremely good one from the guy compared to ones he had seen in the past...the doctor is a real piece of work and everyone in the state knows it. I would imagine the insurance company picked another winner.

Anyone else ordered to see a pyschiatrist for RSD?

Thanks, Sandy

My wife's doctor told her to see a shrink (she has RSD) and I blurted out that if she had MS would you tell her then to see a shrink? That was the end of that.
I'm not implying that it would be a bad idea, its just my wife is against it because she's been thru the mill with doctors and these insurance companies wispering in their ears.

[gabbycakes]

Originally Posted by SandyRI

Surprisingly enough, I got a notice in the mail for me to appear at an IME in a few weeks with a psychiatrist. Not only that, he's about 70-80 miles away from where I live. There's likely about 200 such doctors, maybe more, between my home and where I have been ordered to travel. Amazing. The legal assistant at my attorney's office tells me that I will be reimbursed for mileage. Or that I can even take a cab. Joy, joy. Like I could tolerate all that bumping around in a CAB for an hour and a half each way!! Instead, my husband will have to take the afternoon of the appt off to drive me - I don't drive that far any more.

Why would the insurance company send me to a shrink for an IME (only my second in a couple of years) when I have a chronic pain condition like RSD?

My first IME was a disaster. I didn't expect the doctor to screw me, and was shocked by the report. My attorney said the report was actually an extremely good one from the guy compared to ones he had seen in the past...the doctor is a real piece of work and everyone in the state knows it. I would imagine the insurance company picked another winner.

Anyone else ordered to see a pyschiatrist for RSD?

Thanks, Sandy

Sandy,

I saw a pyschiatrist as part of pre-testing for the ketamine procedures. Most do that prior to the 5 day in-patient procedure. Maybe it has something to do with that..

Gabbycakes

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by gabbycakes

Sandy,

I saw a pyschiatrist as part of pre-testing for the ketamine procedures. Most do that prior to the 5 day in-patient procedure. Maybe it has something to do with that..

Gabbycakes

I had to have a head check done prior to my SCS implant being done... required by the insuracne company..The way I think..they are all nuts!! You know the story on the week that I have had!!!!!! Stick to your guns Sandy honey!!

Hugz, Kathy

[babs74]

my doc tried and tried to get me to see one.. But the shrink said she wanted cash money up front and I didnt have cash money up front.. Then the my doc tried again when i got state insurance,, then she refused that and said cash upfront.. and then my doc left me alone..lol

[hope4thebest]

Hi Sandy,
It doesn't surprise me that you've received notice for a psych IME.
One of the components of treatment for RSD is psychological intervention, along with physcial therapy, and pain management.

It could be that your insurance company is separating out the components with separate IME's.

I also think that Gabbycakes may be on the right track when she writes that it may have something to do with your posssible ketamine treatments.

I was ordered to attend a physcial examination IME (in California they are called QME's early on in my diagnosis. I know the insurance company wanted to close the books on me and end the case. This was before I had an attorney.

I did take the Insurance company on and told them their selection of doctors was completely inappropriate!! they were going to fly a retired doctor up from Southern California to Northern Cal, rent a crummy office space, and do their exam.. the doc had no expertise in RSD and the one selected had a speciality in removing tail bones!! At that point I got an attorney, as I saw the writing on the wall..that I was going to be trampled unless I got some help...
My attorney and the ins. company negociated on a mutually agreed upon pain specialist to do the exam (months later) with a practice just a few miles from my home.

I am wondering if your attorney can intercede and request a doctor closer to your home, especially since it impacts your medical condition and can aggravate it with the long car ride. He really has a case to request a closer location!! Also you might ask your attorney what the reason is for the psych IME...
These depositions and IME's are humiliating to me...I know what the rationale is for them, but they make me feel as though I'm a specimen in a petri dish being scrutinized, not for my benefit, but for some beaurocratic report...
So, Sandy please ask your attorney if he can intervene and get something closer to home, and ask him the purpose of the psych IME and what you might expect during the procedure with a preview of sample questions, etc...


As everyone has advised me, all we can do is be ourselves..and put it into perspective..
I'm trying to do that, too...otherwise I could come out with some hefty explicatives at my deposition...as they probe into my personal life...

Big hugs to you
hope4thebest xoxoxox

[SandyRI]

Thanks for your replies --

Apparently in the State of RI the WC company can order whatever they want. Such as send me for an IME with a psychiatrist 70 miles away. My attorney can't do anything about it, but get me a reibursement for the mileage when it's all over.

Joy.

XOXOX Sandy

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by SandyRI

Thanks for your replies --

Apparently in the State of RI the WC company can order whatever they want. Such as send me for an IME with a psychiatrist 70 miles away. My attorney can't do anything about it, but get me a reibursement for the mileage when it's all over.

Joy.

XOXOX Sandy

I wouldn't be so sure. In California, you can go online and look up the labor codes. Here, I believe the rule is you cannot be forced to attend an exam that is farther than 25 minutes driving time on a paved road. Why don't you Google "Rhode Island" and "labor code" together and poke around a bit? Also sent you a PM

[Dubious]

RI is much different than California, check it out:

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statute...8-33/INDEX.HTM

[SandyRI]

Thanks Dubious.

I called the company that set up the appt. and pointed out there must be hundreds of psychiatrists between where I live and where the appt was arranged, and asked if they could please re-schedule it closer to home. They replied that WC made a special request for a specific type of psychiatric service that very few docs provide, and that is why I need to travel so far. I have left a message with my attorney to please find out what that "special service" might be. I also requested a cab, since I don't drive that far. I hope it costs them a fortune - maybe we will get stuck in traffic....

I have attempted to get advice from my attorney on how to respond to questions that the psych might ask during my appt, but have been told that they can't give advice on how to speak to doctors. Great. Big help.

It is scary that this shrink is probably trying to trap me into saying something so he can try to prove that I'm not really sick or something along those lines. WC definitely is up to something when they send you somewhere - they are evil and their paid practictioners are evil.

What a mess WC is. And what a shame. They have wasted a ridiculous amount of $$ on legal fees. Lately they have started denying meds and treatments that they have allowed for many months - just after I petitioned for ketamine. I am a CPA and a certified fraud examiner. All I want to do is get better and go back to work as soon as possible. The crap that WC has added to my claim has caused such unbelievable angst and stress and anger and more pain. And now this? (I already have my psych clearance for ketamine, so its not that.) YUK....

Thanks for your replies and your support...I appreciate it very much. XOXO Sandy

Originally Posted by Dubious

RI is much different than California, check it out:

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statute...8-33/INDEX.HTM