I have four doctors of stellar reputation, who have determined I am disabled. One hundred percent. Yet my lawyer insists I need some other exam. I have tried and failed to find one doctor willing to do this special exam, once they find out that an IME was already done.

I get the same response every time, it has to be asked for and paid for by the insurance company or it is not “independent.” I give up.

Ask the lawyer for names/referral since they want it..
There is AME & IME, I forgot the differences.
Lawyer should clarify and help you if they think it is needed..

I had an FCE...functional capacity exam...and I was able to pay for that myself and used it as evidence in my long term disability appeal. I wonder if it's a tiny detail like that causing the issue? Maybe it's called something else when you ask for it?

I hate this entire process, I do not have the energy for it, however the best part is my husband is enraged that he could not find a doctor after searching for days and spending hours on the phone.

An FCE can be helpful because they're considered objective evidence. They are often performed by physical therapists.

In some states doctors are not allowed to bill you directly if it's a work injury they must bill WC. In theory this is supposed to prevent employer abuses but it can complicate things for injured workers.

It is a VERY crummy process and I hate that any of us have to deal with it. I am looking forward to the day I can just be done with it all.

IME - Independent Medical Exam
AME - Agreed upon Medial Exam (the two lawyers agree upon the examiner together. This is what I had. I believe it was because I had CRPS and they both wanted a qualified Dr. so that there wouldn't be any question later that the doc didn't know what they were talking about.)

The other side wanted me to do an FCE and the AME denied it, said it would cause too much pain for me and be useless as it would only show what he had already determined.

If your lawyer wants you to get another exam it is his responsibility to find a doctor who will do it AND to get WC to pay for it.

I wonder what comeback the lawyer has for this, BioBased.

I'm sure with you having a lawyer that you don't have to do the work for them. I mean, that's awful!

The reason the lawyer want you to get it because you will not be billed that much where I live IME exams cost any wher up to 2-5k for the hired gun to lie for the insurance company. If your wants one an is good he will be working with a good Doctor that can be trusted and is creditable to the court.