Understanding Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) in Queensland
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) are a critical aspect of the WorkCover claims process in Queensland. If you are pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, you may be required to attend an IME. This article will explain what IMEs are, why they are used, and provide insights into the process, including the role of the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (GEPI) guidelines and how “reasonableness” is assessed, with references to the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
What Is an IME?
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an assessment conducted by a medical specialist who is not involved in your treatment. The purpose of an IME is to provide an objective evaluation of:
- The nature and extent of your injury
- Your capacity for work
- The appropriateness of ongoing treatment plans
IMEs are used by WorkCover Queensland to help make informed decisions about your claim, including determining liability, assessing permanent impairment, and deciding on treatment or rehabilitation options.
Does WorkCover Have the Right to Require an IME?
Yes, under Section 229 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, WorkCover Queensland has the legal right to request that you attend an IME. However, this right is not unlimited, as Section 232 of the Act requires the request to be “reasonable”.
What Is Considered Reasonable?
For an IME request to be reasonable, a number of factors are considered including:
- Purpose: WorkCover must demonstrate that the IME is necessary to obtain information not available from your treating doctors.
- Timing: Excessive or repeated IMEs without justification may be deemed unreasonable.
- Location: The IME should be scheduled at a location reasonably accessible to you.
- Specialist Selection: The doctor chosen must have expertise relevant to your injury or condition.
Why Doesn’t WorkCover Rely Solely on Treating Doctors?
While treating doctors are integral to your recovery, WorkCover may seek an IME for several reasons:
- Objective Perspective: Treating doctors often focus on providing care and may lack the impartiality required for assessing legal and compensation-related matters.
- Consistency: IMEs provide standardised evaluations, especially in cases where multiple treating practitioners may have differing opinions.
- Compliance with GEPI Guidelines: WorkCover relies on IME specialists to apply the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (GEPI), ensuring consistency in impairment assessments.
What Is GEPI?
GEPI, or the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, is the framework used in Queensland to assess the degree of permanent impairment resulting from a work-related injury. These guidelines:
- Provide a standardised approach to impairment evaluation
- Help ensure assessments are fair and consistent
- Form the basis for calculating entitlements for permanent impairment benefits
Doctors conducting IMEs must be trained in applying GEPI to ensure their evaluations meet WorkCover’s standards.
Approved IME Doctors in Queensland
WorkCover maintains a list of approved doctors who can conduct IMEs. These specialists are part of designated provider panels, ensuring they meet specific qualifications and expertise requirements.
Below is a comprehensive list of approved providers:
Cardiologists
- Kenneth Hossack
Dermatologists
- James Muir
- Alan Segal
Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists
- Shane Anderson
- Frank Anning
- Jonathan Askew
- Henry Glennie
- Robert Hodge
- Sharon Kelly
General Surgeons
- Michael Mar Fan
- Philip Scarlett
Neurologists
- John Cameron
- Geoffrey Herkes
Neurosurgeons
- Rupert Leigh Atkinson
- John Baker
- Neil Cochrane
- Terence Coyne
Occupational Physicians
- Sasan Beheshti
- Nicholas Burke
- Edwin Butler
- Chris Cunneen
- Tersia De Wilzem
- Ki Douglas
- Angus Forbes
- Andrew Lingwood
- Robert McCartney
- Therese McGrath
- Sid O’Toole
- Reza Sabetghadam
- Kalesh Seevnarain
- Steven Sornachalam
- John Sowby
Ophthalmologists
- Graham Lee
- Lawrence Lee
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Frank Monsour
Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Charles Allen
- Steve Andrews
- Pritpal Bansi
- Christopher Bell
- Peter Brazel
- James Clayton
- Sarah Coll
- Cameron Cooke
- Philip Dalton
- Glenn Davies
- Greg Day
- Ian Dickinson
- Peter Dodd
- Bill Donnelly
- Phillip Duke
- Hugh English
- Prue Fitzpatrick
- John Fraser
- Price Gallie
- Tony Ganko
- Simon Gatehouse
- Brett Halliday
- Steven Hatcher
- David Hayes
- Tze-ki Ho
- Michael Holt
- Craig Hughes
- Robert Ivers
- Alok Jhamb
- Peter Johnstone
- Sanjay Joshi
- Simon Journeaux
- Tony Keays
- Lloyd King
- Steven Lawrie
- Kelly Macgroarty
- Peter McCombe
- Paul McEniery
- Peter McMeniman
- Gary Nielsen
- Iulian Nusem
- Gregory Nutting
- Kerry Outerbridge
- Andrew Patten
- Jeff Peereboom
- Paul Pincus
- James Price
- Joerg Rhau
- Mark Richardson
- Dale Rimmington
- Mark Robinson
- Babatunde Salman
- Anubhav Sathu
- Terence Saxby
- John Scott
- Matthew Scott-Young
- David Shepherd
- David Shooter
- Scott Sommerville
- Michael South
- Peter Steadman
- Gregory Sterling
- Bernard Tamba-Lebbie
- John Walters
- Sarah Watts
- Andrew Whittle
- Richard Williams
- Anthony Wilson
- Peter Winstanley
- Leo Zeller
Pain Specialists
- Rupert Leigh Atkinson
- Kym Boon
- Kathleen Cooke
- Jacqueline Evans
- Marc Walden
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Richard Lewandowski
- Cameron Mackay
Psychiatrists
- Rajapaksha Alponsu
- Gregory Apel
- Joanne Barkla
- Janet Bayley
- Kym Boon
- John Chalk
- Andrew Christensen
- Alfred Chung
- Hugh Daniel
- Rupak Dasgupta
- Benjamin Duke
- Curtis Gray
- Anand Gundabawady
- Jennifer Gunn
- Ankur Gupta
- Laura Hamilton
- Sharon Harding
- Aleksandra Isailovic
- Satish Karunakaran
- Hugh Levien
- Vladan Ljubisavljevic
- Joseph Mathew
- Quentin Mungomery
- Luke Murphy
- Lawrence Nandam
- Jatheesh Pala Valappil
- Milind Pant
- Sanjeev Ranjan
- Pankaj Relan
- Greig Richardson
- Leo Ryan
- Saddichha Sahoo
- Tarun Sehgal
- Wasim Shaikh
- John Shaw
- Helen Siddle
- Alexandra Simpson
- Rajiv Siotia
- David Storor
- Andrew (Mark) Taylor
- Ghazala Watt
Rehabilitation Physicians
- Rupert Leigh Atkinson
- Saul Geffen
Rheumatologists
- Phillip Vecchio
Sport & Exercise Physicians
- Matthew Hislop
Thoracic / Respiratory Physicians
- John Armstrong
- Ian Brown
- Stephen Vincent
Urologists
- Peter Campbell
- Peter Heathcote
Preparing for an IME
Attending an IME can feel intimidating, but understanding the process can help:
- Bring Relevant Documents: Include medical records, imaging results, and any WorkCover correspondence.
- Be Honest: Provide accurate and complete information about your injury and symptoms.
- Follow-Up: Request a copy of the IME report and review it carefully. If inaccuracies exist, address them promptly.
Seeking Legal Assistance
Navigating the IME process can be challenging, especially if you believe WorkCover’s request is unreasonable or if the IME findings conflict with your treating doctor’s opinions. Engaging a workers’ compensation lawyer can:
- Help you challenge unreasonable IME requests
- Ensure your rights are protected during the process
- Provide advice on disputing adverse IME findings
If you have concerns about an IME or need guidance with your WorkCover claim, reach out for professional advice to safeguard your entitlements.
