An independent medical examination (IME) is a medical examination of a personal injury claimant or plaintiff by a medical doctor, psychologist, or other health care provider who is not the claimant or plaintiff’s treating physician or health care provider.

For example, an insurance company (insurer) may request an IME of a workers’ compensation claimant to determine the nature of the injury and provide an expert opinion on whether the injury was caused by a recent workplace accident or is a preexisting injury. Or a defendant (or the defendant’s insurer) may request an IME of a personal injury claimant or plaintiff during the investigation or litigation of a liability claim related to a motor vehicle accident or other incident.

The purpose of an IME is to provide an expert opinion from the treating physician for purposes of defending the claim or litigation—not to provide the injured claimant or plaintiff with a second opinion or with medical treatment. The physician conducting the IME will typically review the medical records of the claimant or plaintiff, interview and evaluate the claimant or plaintiff during the IME, and prepare a report with the physician’s findings (an IME report).

A claimant or plaintiff generally must submit to an IME or lose the right to pursue the insurance claim (workers’ compensation) or liability claim in litigation.

In Ohio, an Independent Medical Examination (IME) is often utilized in the context of workers' compensation and personal injury litigation. When an insurance company or a defendant requests an IME, it is to assess the extent and cause of the claimant's injuries. Under Ohio law, particularly in workers' compensation cases, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) may require an injured worker to undergo an IME to confirm the injury is work-related and to determine the level of disability. Similarly, in personal injury cases, either party may request an IME to obtain an objective assessment of the injuries claimed. The results of the IME can significantly influence the outcome of the claim. If a claimant refuses to comply with a reasonable request for an IME, they may jeopardize their ability to recover compensation. The physician conducting the IME will not provide treatment but will issue a report that can be used as evidence in court or in administrative proceedings.