Same here. I have had CRPS for years and had a work related accident couple years ago that exasperated the disease. First IME perfect. Nice guy performed the exam with the utmost professionalism. Second IME horrible. Report said I was faking it, could go back to work no restrictions, nothing but a muscle strain. I was actually traumatized, both physically and psychologically. He kept claiming no doctor patient relationship when I questioned him on all this behavior. Case manager really hyped him up. Wrote the book on crps, will really help you, bla, bla, bla...
This does not give them the excuse to abuse us. Never again! My MD insisted I report him. I have since read he got away with this for years.

WC law varies from state to state so this does not always hold true. In MA your WC carrier owns your medical care for life so there is no way around their corrupt system.

I once had an IME (requested/paid by the insurance company) with a very well respected hand surgeon. His report agreed with everything my pain doc and hand surgeon said. Once the insurance company saw the report they made him amend it. The main body of the report stayed the same except and addendum that stated he received new information that led him to the conclusion that it was all in my head! I don't know how he can note the color change, etc in my arm, but then state I'm crazy. Apparently I am a magician that can make my arm change color, swell, etc. on demand.

The bottom line is that the WC system in this country is rigged towards the insurance company.

At times like these I thank my booty for generalized health care here in Belgium. Gosh you guys have it so hard, especially under this administration.

It is not clear to me what has already changed with Obamacare.

How are you guys experiencing that?

"Obamacare" gets a bad rap from our right, but it has been invaluable helping many of our citizens, especially those that are disabled but not qualified for Medicare or insurance from a spouse, etc.

What we're discussing in this thread is medical coverage for injuries that occurred at work. The insurance companies are very aggressive denying coverage.

I suspect a diagnosis of CRPS results in what they term a "high value claim". Our crowd is expensive because it isn't easy or simple to get better.

From what my lawyer has hinted CRPS must be a very high value claim. Once you have it you don't just get better. It progresses. It often renders you unable to work. You certainly need medical (expensive medical) care.

My AME recommended I ask my doc for a prescription for a scooter. I'm quite sure that will be denied. W/C won't even approve exercise equipment for me, not even cheap equipment. He also said ask for a CAT scan to verify that one fracture didn't heal so that podiatrist can try again to get the device that's supposed to help with bone healing.

Oh and I DO have arthritis in my big toe joint, but podiatrist said its cause by the trauma from my fall. Multiple cysts in the joint. But he can't do any of the typical treatments due to the CRPS.

I can't believe a doc could just change their report. That sounds like medical malpractice to me!

I bought my own scooter back when I had money. It's a game changer.
You can get them used for about one third of new cost.
Of course, work comp denied that request. Their reasoning was hilarious: if a person can stand up using a cane they do not need a power chair or scooter.

You can get free medical equipment loans from local organizations sometimes. If you call your local Red Cross they might be able to direct you.

If you were fine, you would not be begging for help or paying for it out of pocket. It’s a red flag. You would think they would get this.

You said it! It is so bad doctors do not want to be involved in WC. In desperation I returned to a doctor I had seen a few times long before CRPS, he’s the one who sent me to the doctor, who diagnosed me with CRPS.

Since he knew me prior to and during,had all the records, old and new xrays, and both my feet/ ankles were flaring- red\ swollen and my rashes were scary he was able to see for himself that the IME was exactly the opposite of how I presented. He even spent time looking at my album of photos- hopefully all will be documented in his report. He refuted that I could walk on my toes and that I did not have an antalgic gait. When I told him that I was criticized by a WC doctor for switching hands when I used the cane, he said it was absurd. My hands are bothering me, too.

And he said we crpsers battle doctors who “don’t believe in CRPS, doctors who don’t think it spreads and doctors who think it goes away.”

He listed the differing temps of my feet. He said that I was too disabled to any kind of job and hugged me-I burst out crying.

But I am still incredibly angry, not just for me, but for everyone who gets treated so shabbily, when they really are in no position to self-advocate.