All Services

IME Process and Best Practices

• CDC accepts referrals via our Online Referral Form, Phone, Fax, or Email.
• The referral is immediately entered into our system and ready for doctor selection and scheduling
• Drawing on our proven expertise, we ensure the right physician is assigned to each case based on specialty, case parameters, and time constraints. If the IME physician can’t meet the requested appointment window, we’ll promptly notify the client and explore alternative options.
• Within 24 hours of scheduling, appointment letters are created. These letters are sent to the client, claimant, defense attorney, plaintiff attorney (if applicable) and all other parties as requested by the client.
• All reports are reviewed by our experienced Quality Assurance
  team to ensure that all questionaire addressed.
• Final reports are returned to the client in under 10 business days.

Case managers play a crucial role in facilitating communication and coordination among the various stakeholders involved in the claims process. Here’s how incorporating case managers into your services at CDC IME can benefit your clients:

1. Improved Communication: Case managers act as a central point of contact for all parties involved in the claims process, including employers, healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and claimants. By serving as liaisons between these parties, case managers ensure that everyone stays informed and updated on the progress of the case, minimizing misunderstandings and delays.
2. Enhanced Efficiency: With case managers overseeing the process, there’s a streamlined flow of information and documentation. They can proactively identify any potential bottlenecks or issues that may arise and take necessary steps to address them promptly, thereby ensuring that the claims process moves forward smoothly and efficiently.
3. Personalized Support: Each case is unique, and case managers can provide personalized support tailored to the specific needs of the claimant and the circumstances of their case. Whether it’s arranging medical appointments, coordinating transportation, or providing guidance on paperwork, case managers offer individualized assistance to ensure that the claimant’s needs are met.
4. Timely Resolution: By proactively managing the claims process and addressing any hurdles that arise along the way, case managers help expedite the resolution of claims. Their involvement ensures that deadlines are met, appointments are scheduled promptly, and all necessary documentation is obtained and processed in a timely manner, ultimately leading to faster claim resolution.
5. Continuity of Care: For cases involving ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation, case managers ensure continuity of care by monitoring the claimant’s progress and coordinating follow-up appointments and services as needed. This comprehensive approach helps optimize the claimant’s recovery process and minimizes disruptions in their care.
6. Reduced Administrative Burden: By entrusting the coordination and management of the claims process to case managers, clients can focus on their core responsibilities without getting bogged down by administrative tasks. This frees up valuable time and resources, allowing clients to allocate their efforts more efficiently and effectively.

In summary, integrating case managers into your services at CDC adds significant value to your offerings by facilitating smoother communication, enhancing efficiency, providing personalized support, expediting claim resolution, ensuring continuity of care, and reducing the administrative burden for your clients

The utilization of board-certified physicians who are experts in their respective fields is a key strength of CDC IME’s services. Here’s how this approach benefits your clients, particularly in cases involving Worker’s Compensation Injuries or Medical Professional Liability:

1. Specialized Expertise: By engaging board-certified physicians who are experts in their fields, CDC ensures that clients receive high-quality evaluations and opinions tailored to the specific medical issues involved in their cases. These experts bring in-depth knowledge and experience, allowing for thorough assessments and accurate diagnoses.
2. Case-Specific Selection: CDC’s practice of selecting physicians based on the specifics of each case demonstrates a commitment to providing personalized and targeted services. By matching the expertise of the physician to the unique requirements of the case, clients can have confidence in the relevance and appropriateness of the medical opinions provided.
3. Geographic Considerations: Taking into account the geographic location of the claimant when selecting physicians further enhances the relevance and effectiveness of the evaluations. This ensures that clients have access to local experts who are familiar with regional medical practices, standards of care, and regulatory requirements, thereby strengthening the credibility and validity of the opinions rendered.
4. Comprehensive Services: In addition to providing expert opinions, CDC’s physicians offer a range of services, including consultation, review of records, and trial testimony. This comprehensive approach allows clients to benefit from the expertise of these physicians at various stages of the claims process, from initial evaluation to resolution.
5. Worker’s Compensation and Medical Professional Liability: Whether the case involves Worker’s Compensation Injuries or Medical Professional Liability, CDC’s physicians are equipped to provide valuable insights and support. Their expertise in these areas enables them to assess the medical aspects of the case accurately, provide relevant guidance, and offer expert testimony when needed, contributing to fair and favorable outcomes for clients.

Overall, the utilization of board-certified physicians with specialized expertise, combined with case-specific selection and geographic considerations, strengthens CDC’s ability to provide valuable services to clients involved in Worker’s Compensation and Medical Professional Liability cases.

Managing and Coordinating the scheduling of depositions is a valuable service provided by CDC. Depositions play a crucial role in the context of Workers Compensation cases. Below is how this service can benefit your clients:

1. Timely Coordination: Depositions are often time-sensitive and must comply with case and court calendars. The CDC team’s coordination ensures that depositions are scheduled promptly and in accordance with relevant deadlines, helping to prevent delays in the legal proceedings.
2. Efficient Communication: Coordinating scheduling between the lawyer and physician streamlines the scheduling process, minimizing back-and-forth communication and reducing the likelihood of scheduling conflicts. This efficient communication process ensures that all parties are kept informed and can plan accordingly.
3. Compliance and Accuracy: By overseeing scheduling to comply with case and court calendars, CDC helps ensure that all legal requirements are met and that depositions proceed smoothly without any administrative hiccups. This attention to detail contributes to the overall integrity and effectiveness of the legal process.
4. Reduced Burden on Clients: Handling the scheduling of depositions can be time-consuming and burdensome for clients, particularly when they are already dealing with the complexities of Worker’s Compensation cases. By entrusting this task to the CDC team, clients can focus on other aspects of their case with the assurance that scheduling logistics are being managed professionally and efficiently.
5. Improved Case Management: Efficient scheduling of depositions is essential for effective case management. By coordinating scheduling between the lawyer and provider, the CDC team helps ensure that all necessary parties are available and prepared for depositions, facilitating smooth proceedings and contributing to the overall success of the case.

In summary, CDC’s assistance with scheduling depositions adds significant value to the services offered to clients involved in Worker’s Compensation cases. By facilitating timely coordination, efficient communication, compliance with legal requirements, and reduced administrative burden, this service contributes to a more streamlined and effective legal process, ultimately benefiting clients and their cases.

Scheduling Permanency Evaluations is another valuable service provided by CDC IME, particularly in the context of Worker’s Compensation cases where determining the extent of permanent impairment is essential. Here’s how this service can benefit your clients:

1. Access to Qualified Providers: CDC’s network of providers includes qualified medical professionals who are experienced in conducting Permanency Evaluations and issuing permanency or permanent partial impairment (PPI) ratings. Having access to such providers ensures that clients receive accurate and reliable assessments of their permanent impairment.
2. Timely Scheduling: As injured workers reach maximum medical improvement, scheduling Permanency Evaluations becomes crucial for assessing the extent of permanent impairment and determining appropriate compensation. The assistance provided by CDC IME in scheduling these evaluations ensures that they are arranged promptly, allowing for timely resolution of claims.
3. Expertise in Permanency Ratings: Conducting Permanency Evaluations and issuing permanency ratings require specialized expertise to accurately assess the impact of injuries on the affected parts of the body. CDC IME’s network of providers includes specialists who are knowledgeable in this area, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive and reliable evaluations.
4. Tailored Assessment: Permanency Evaluations must be specific to the injuries sustained by the worker and the affected body parts. CDC IME’s providers conduct thorough assessments tailored to the individual circumstances of each case, taking into account the nature and severity of the injuries to provide accurate and personalized permanency ratings.
5. Facilitated Communication: Coordinating the scheduling of Permanency Evaluations between clients, medical providers, and other stakeholders can be challenging. CDC IME’s assistance in this regard streamlines the process, ensuring that all parties are informed and appointments are arranged efficiently, minimizing delays and administrative burdens.
6. Supporting Claims Resolution: Accurate Permanency Evaluations play a crucial role in determining the compensation owed to injured workers for their permanent impairment. By facilitating the scheduling of these evaluations and ensuring access to qualified providers, CDC IME helps support the claims resolution process, ultimately leading to fair and equitable outcomes for clients.

In summary, CDC’s assistance with scheduling Permanency Evaluations and access to qualified providers contribute to the efficient and effective resolution of Worker’s Compensation cases. By ensuring timely assessments, expertise in permanency ratings, tailored evaluations, facilitated communication, and support for claims resolution, this service enhances the overall experience for clients and helps them receive the compensation they deserve for their permanent impairment.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted to support workers in managing their job responsibilities alongside family obligations. Here’s a bit more detail on how it operates:

1. Leave Entitlement: Under the FMLA, eligible employees are entitled to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for specific reasons. These reasons include the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a newly placed foster child, caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or attending to the employee’s own serious health condition.
2. Serious Health Condition: The FMLA defines a serious health condition as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility, or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider.
3. Eligibility: To be eligible for FMLA leave, employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, accumulated at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period immediately preceding the leave, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius.
4. Job Protection: One of the key provisions of the FMLA is job protection. Employees who take FMLA leave are generally entitled to return to their same or an equivalent position with the same pay, benefits, and terms of employment upon their return from leave.
5. Intermittent Leave: FMLA leave can be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule basis when medically necessary for the employee’s own serious health condition or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This allows flexibility for employees to attend medical appointments or address health needs as they arise.
6. Notice and Certification: Employers can require employees to provide advance notice of their need for FMLA leave and may request medical certification to support the need for leave due to a serious health condition.

Overall, the FMLA serves as an important federal protection for employees, allowing them to take unpaid leave for significant family and medical reasons without jeopardizing their job security. It provides a valuable balance between work and personal responsibilities, promoting employee well-being and family stability.

The record review report offered by CDC serves as a valuable tool in assessing various aspects of a case without the need for a physical examination. Record reviews can be an essential component in the defense of professional liability cases.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and benefits:

1. Expert Analysis: Utilizing a network of expert physicians, CDC’s coordinators ensure that clients receive thorough and insightful analyses of medical and factual records. These experts bring specialized knowledge and experience to the review process, enabling them to provide informed opinions on complex medical and legal issues.
2. Focused Areas of Assessment: The record review report concentrates on specific areas crucial to the case, such as causation, appropriateness of medical treatment, and the employee’s ability to return to work. By honing in on these key aspects, the report provides clarity and direction for further action.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation: In addition to evaluating current medical conditions and treatments, the report also considers preexisting conditions that may have contributed to or been affected by the injury or condition in question. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that all relevant factors are taken into account, resulting in a more accurate and nuanced analysis.
4. Efficient Process: By eliminating the need for a physical examination, the record review process is often more efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional IMEs. This allows for quicker turnaround times and reduces the burden on both clients and medical providers involved in the case.
5. Decision Support: The insights provided in the record review report can serve as valuable decision-making tools for stakeholders involved in the case, including employers, insurance companies, and legal representatives. By offering clear and well-supported opinions, the report helps inform next steps and strategies for achieving favorable outcomes.

In summary, the record review report offered by CDC provides clients with expert analysis and comprehensive evaluation of medical and factual records, focusing on key areas relevant to the case. Its efficient and objective approach supports decision-making and helps facilitate the resolution of complex medical and legal issues.

Providing transportation services and interpreters for injured workers who may face language or mobility barriers is a vital service in ensuring that the IME takes place and that language barriers are addressed.  Cost savings to clients are achieved by preventing No-Show events. Here’s how these services benefit both the injured worker and the client:

1. Accessibility: By arranging transportation for injured workers who do not drive, CDC ensures that they can attend their IME appointments without facing logistical challenges. This accessibility removes barriers that might otherwise prevent injured workers from accessing the medical evaluations they need for their claims.
2. Convenience: Offering pick-up and drop-off services not only ensures that injured workers arrive at their IME appointments on time but also alleviates any stress or concerns they may have about transportation logistics. This convenience contributes to a smoother and more positive experience for the injured worker.
3. Language Support: Providing interpreters for injured workers who do not speak English ensures effective communication throughout the IME process. Clear communication is essential for accurate assessment and understanding of the worker’s medical history, symptoms, and any relevant information. Having an interpreter present helps facilitate this communication, ensuring that the IME is thorough and comprehensive.
4. Mitigation of No-Show Appointments: By offering transportation services and interpreters, CDC helps reduce the likelihood of no-show appointments. Transportation barriers and language barriers are common reasons why injured workers may miss appointments. By addressing these barriers proactively, CDC helps ensure that appointments proceed as scheduled, minimizing disruptions and delays for all parties involved.
5. Client Satisfaction: Providing these additional services demonstrates CDC’ commitment to client satisfaction and the well-being of injured workers. Clients can trust that CDC IME goes above and beyond to support the needs of their employees, ultimately enhancing the client-provider relationship and reputation.

In summary, offering transportation services and interpreters for injured workers attending IME appointments is a thoughtful and practical service provided by CDC IME. It ensures accessibility, convenience, effective communication, and reduces the likelihood of missed appointments, ultimately contributing to a smoother and more efficient claims process for all stakeholders involved.

CDC’s network of expert witnesses across all specialty fields of medicine provides our clients with access to a diverse pool of highly qualified board-certified professionals. Here’s how this service benefits clients:

1. Specialized Expertise: CDC IME’s network includes board certified experts in various medical and surgical specialties, ensuring that clients receive assessments and opinions from professionals with relevant expertise. Whether the case involves orthopedics, neurology, psychiatry, or any other specialty, CDC IME can find and suggest an expert who is well-versed in the specific medical issues at hand.
2. Tailored Recommendations: When a client requests an expert witness, CDC goes the extra mile to find an expert who not only specializes in the relevant field but also matches the geographic location of the case. This tailored approach ensures that clients have access to local experts who are familiar with regional medical practices, standards of care, and legal requirements, enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of their testimony.
3. Efficient Matching Process: CDC’s ability to quickly find and suggest suitable expert witnesses streamlines the process for clients, saving them time and effort in identifying and vetting potential experts on their own. This efficiency is particularly valuable in time-sensitive legal proceedings where prompt action is crucial.
4. High-Quality Standards: CDC IME maintains high standards for the experts in its network, ensuring that they possess the necessary qualifications, experience, and credentials to provide reliable testimony. Clients can trust that the experts recommended by CDC IME meet rigorous criteria and uphold professional integrity in their practice.
5. Comprehensive Support: Beyond simply suggesting expert witnesses, CDC IME offers comprehensive support throughout the engagement process. This may include facilitating communication, coordinating scheduling, and providing logistical assistance to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for clients and their legal teams.
6. Enhanced Legal Strategy: Access to qualified expert witnesses can significantly strengthen a client’s legal strategy by providing authoritative opinions and insights on complex medical issues. By leveraging CDC’s network, clients can bolster their case with expert testimony that is credible, persuasive, and tailored to the specific needs of the litigation.

In summary, CDC IME’s network of expert witnesses offers clients access to specialized expertise, tailored recommendations, efficient matching processes, high-quality standards, comprehensive support, and enhanced legal strategy. This service enhances the credibility and effectiveness of clients’ legal proceedings by providing authoritative medical testimony from qualified experts.

Providing access to treating specialists for second opinions is a valuable service offered by CDC. Here’s how this service benefits clients:

1. Independent Evaluation: Obtaining a second opinion from a treating specialist allows clients and or claimants to gain an independent perspective on their diagnosis, treatment plan, or disability assessment. This ensures that clients have a thorough understanding of their medical situation and can make informed decisions about their care.
2. Quality Assurance: CDC IME ensures that the treating specialists recommended for second opinions are qualified, experienced, and reputable in their respective fields. Clients can trust that they are receiving high-quality medical advice and recommendations that align with best practices and standards of care.
3. Tailored Recommendations: The team at CDC takes into account the specific needs and preferences of each client when recommending treating specialists for second opinions. Whether the client requires a particular medical specialty, geographic location, or language preference, CDC IME strives to find an appropriate specialist who meets their criteria.
4. Timely Access: CDC IME understands the importance of timely access to medical care, especially when seeking second opinions. The team works efficiently to connect clients with treating specialists in a timely manner, ensuring that they receive the medical advice and guidance they need without unnecessary delays.
5. Empowerment and Peace of Mind: Obtaining a second opinion can empower clients to take control of their health care decisions and feel confident in their treatment plans. It provides reassurance and peace of mind, knowing that their medical situation has been thoroughly evaluated by another qualified professional.
6. Improved Outcomes: Second opinions from treating specialists can lead to improved medical outcomes by identifying alternative treatment options, confirming or refining diagnoses, and ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate and effective care for their individual needs.

In summary, the ability to connect clients with treating specialists for second opinions enhances the quality of care, empowers clients to make informed decisions, and ultimately contributes to improved medical outcomes. CDC IME’s commitment to facilitating access to high-quality medical expertise underscores its dedication to serving the needs of its clients and supporting their health and well-being.

Assisting employers in determining appropriate job accommodations for injured workers is a proactive approach that benefits both parties involved. Here’s how this service provided by CDC can be advantageous:

1. Claims Cost Management: Effective job accommodations can help control claim costs for the employer by minimizing the need for extended leave, disability benefits, or costly workplace modifications. By proactively addressing the needs of injured workers, CDC IME helps mitigate potential financial burdens associated with workplace injuries.
2. Individualized Solutions: CDC’s expert providers assess the specific needs and limitations of the injured worker, as well as the details of the workplace environment. This allows them to tailor job accommodations that are uniquely suited to the worker’s abilities and the demands of their job.
3. Maintaining Employment: By facilitating job accommodations, CDC helps injured workers remain employed despite their limitations. This not only preserves their income and job security but also maintains their sense of purpose and fulfillment, contributing to overall well-being and morale.
4. Productivity Optimization: Job accommodations that align with the injured worker’s abilities can help optimize productivity by ensuring that tasks are performed efficiently and effectively. By removing barriers to performance, CDC supports the injured worker in maintaining their productivity levels, benefiting both the employer and the worker.
5. Reduced Absenteeism and Turnover: By enabling injured workers to continue working in a capacity that suits their abilities, CDC’s job accommodations can help reduce absenteeism and turnover. This contributes to a more stable and productive workforce, minimizing disruptions and associated costs for the employer.
6. Legal Compliance: Providing appropriate job accommodations demonstrates the employer’s commitment to compliance with disability discrimination laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). By working with CDC IME to identify and implement accommodations, employers can ensure legal compliance while supporting the inclusion and well-being of injured workers.

In summary, CDC’s assistance in determining appropriate job accommodations for injured workers benefits both employers and employees by promoting retention, productivity, morale, and cost control. By leveraging expert analysis and tailored solutions, CDC helps create a supportive and inclusive work environment where injured workers can thrive while minimizing the financial and operational impacts on employers.

Conducting Fit for Duty evaluations is a proactive measure that ensures employees are physically capable of performing their job duties safely and effectively. Here’s how CDC IME’s assistance in coordinating these evaluations benefits employers and employees:

1. Timely Evaluation Process: CDC’s coordination with expert providers expedites the Fit for Duty evaluation process, ensuring that reports are generated promptly. This allows employers to make informed decisions about employees’ fitness for work in a timely manner, minimizing disruptions to operations and reducing downtime.
2. Expert Analysis: By working with expert providers, CDC IME ensures that Fit for Duty evaluations are conducted by qualified professionals who have a thorough understanding of job requirements and physical capabilities. This expertise enhances the accuracy and reliability of the evaluation results, providing employers with confidence in their decision-making process.
3. Tailored Assessments: Fit for Duty evaluations conducted by CDC IME take into account the specific job requirements and physical demands of each employee’s role. This tailored approach ensures that evaluations are relevant and meaningful, accurately assessing whether employees are capable of performing their job duties safely and effectively.
4. Legal Compliance: Fit for Duty evaluations help employers fulfill their legal obligations to provide a safe work environment and prevent workplace injuries. By ensuring that employees are physically fit for their assigned tasks, employers mitigate the risk of accidents and potential liability associated with workplace injuries.
5. Employee Well-being: Fit for Duty evaluations support employee well-being by ensuring that they are not placed in positions where they may be at risk of injury due to physical limitations. By verifying employees’ fitness for work, employers demonstrate their commitment to workplace safety and employee health.
6. Operational Efficiency: By expediting the Fit for Duty evaluation process, CDC helps employers maintain operational efficiency and productivity. Employees can return to work promptly once their fitness for duty is confirmed, minimizing disruptions and ensuring continuity of business operations.

In summary, CDC’s assistance in coordinating Fit for Duty evaluations provides employers with timely, expert analysis of employees’ physical capabilities relative to job requirements. This proactive approach supports workplace safety, legal compliance, employee well-being, and operational efficiency, ultimately benefiting both employers and employees.

Consulting Bill Review Services include:

• Help to identify if charges are related to or unrelated to the case.
• Usual, customary and reasonable review.
• Check for duplicate bills or overcharges.
• Analyze if accepted coding methodologies have been utilized.

Medical Cost Projection Methodology 

The process to develop a medical cost projection includes a detailed analysis of the medical records and or expert(s)’ reports. Next the experts’ recommendations are incorporated into the cost projection. Costs are obtained using accepted coding and costing methodologies to determine the usual, customary, and reasonable charges for a geographical area in which the client is expected to receive services.