An exam you didn’t choose shouldn’t decide the rest of your recovery.
In Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation recorded over 167,000 reports of injuries and illnesses in 2023 alone. Many of those workers will face an Independent Medical Exam (IME) —an insurer-arranged evaluation designed to assess your condition and decide whether they’ll keep paying your benefits.
An IME isn’t a typical doctor’s visit. It’s a one-time exam ordered by the insurance company, often used to challenge your injury, question your need for medical treatment, or limit your wage-loss payments.
That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself from unfair tactics and make sure your side of the story is clearly documented.
You have rights and options, and this guide will walk you through them with clear, practical steps to prepare for your IME.
Looking for even more insight into the strategies insurers use during these exams, read our IME Doctor Tricks guide.
Table of Contents
What Is an Independent Medical Exam (IME)?
An Independent Medical Exam is a medical evaluation arranged by the workers’ compensation insurance company to review your injury. It’s an exam set up by the insurer to get an opinion about your condition to determine your workers’ compensation benefits.
Insurers request IMEs for several reasons: to verify the details of your personal injury, evaluate how well you’re recovering, or look for reasons to reduce, limit, or stop your benefits. Typically, it’s a standard part of workers’ compensation claims in Pennsylvania.
However, know that the IME doctor doesn’t work for you. This doctor is chosen and paid by the insurance carrier. Their role is to provide an opinion the insurer can use to make decisions about collecting workers’ compensation benefits, not to help you manage your care.
These exams are usually short and focused on specific questions about your injury. The doctor will observe how you move, respond to questions, and whether your behavior matches your medical history. They often note small details that can be used to challenge your injury claim.
IME reports can carry significant weight in workers’ compensation hearings. Your insurance provider and judges may rely on these opinions when deciding whether to continue, modify, or stop your benefits.
That’s why taking time to prepare can make a real difference. Here’s how to get ready, step by step.
Step 1: Review Your Past Medical History and Accident Details
Make sure you understand the timeline of your treatment, including important dates like when the injury happened, when you first saw a doctor, and any surgeries or therapies you’ve had.
Be consistent with what’s already in your medical condition. Insurers and IME doctors often look for differences between what you say in the exam and what’s been documented before. Even small inconsistencies can be used to question your credibility or limit your benefits.
It also helps to review any prior statements you’ve made about the injury, such as reports to your employer, recorded insurer interviews, or earlier medical notes.
If it’s helpful, consider bringing a brief personal summary or notes to keep your answers clear and consistent. This isn’t something you need to hand over — it’s for your own reference to avoid forgetting details under pressure.
Keep in mind: The IME doctor will be looking carefully for discrepancies that the insurer can use to challenge or reduce your claim. Being clear, accurate, and consistent is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself.
Step 2: Know What to Bring (and What Not to Sign)
When you go to your IME, plan ahead so you only bring what you truly need. Typically, you’ll want to have your government ID, your appointment notice, and any specific medical records your attorney has advised you to bring. Keeping it simple helps you stay organized and focused.
Be cautious about signing any extra forms or medical releases on the spot. Don’t feel pressured to sign documents you don’t fully understand or haven’t discussed with your workers’ compensation lawyer. Insurers sometimes use broad releases to get access to unrelated medical history that they can use against your claim.
Similarly, don’t provide documents that the insurer didn’t specifically request without checking with your attorney first. Even well-meaning sharing can open the door to questions or challenges you didn’t expect.
Remember that the IME doctor is not your treating doctor. They’re hired by the insurance company and aren’t there to help you manage your care or look out for your interests. Their role is to evaluate you on the insurer’s behalf, so preparation and caution matter.
Step 3: Dress Appropriately for Your Injury
What you wear to your IME may seem like a small detail, but it can affect how your condition is perceived.
Choose clothing that honestly reflects your real, daily limitations. If you normally use braces, slings, canes, or other medical supports, make sure you bring and use them just as you would on any other day.
Avoid trying to exaggerate your condition by dressing in an overly dramatic way, but also avoid underplaying it by leaving needed supports at home. Consistency matters. You want the IME doctor to see you as you truly are, not as someone trying to influence the exam one way or the other.
IME doctors don’t rely on words. They will be watching how you walk in, sit down, move, and leave the exam. These observations often make it into the report and can be used to support or challenge your claim.
Step 4: Describe Your Pain and Limitations Accurately to Medical Professionals
When talking with the IME doctor, focus on describing your pain and limitations honestly and specifically. Explain your pain levels, movement restrictions, and how your workplace injury affects daily activities, such as working, driving, or caring for yourself.
Avoid the temptation to exaggerate symptoms, but also don’t downplay or minimize your difficulties. If something genuinely hurts or limits you, say so clearly. The goal is to provide an accurate, balanced picture of what you’re dealing with day to day.
Use simple, direct language about what you can and can’t do since the injury occurred. For example, “I can stand for 10 minutes before needing to sit,” or “I can’t lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk without sharp pain.” Specifics help the IME doctor understand your real condition.
Be consistent with what your treating physician has documented in your records. Contradictions — like saying you can’t walk at all when records show light walking in therapy — can be used by insurers to challenge your credibility.
IME reports are often scrutinized in hearings, and insurers look for any reason to question your honesty. Consistent, truthful answers help strengthen your case and protect your right to benefits.
Step 5: Talk to Your Attorney Before Your Physical Examination
One of the most effective ways to prepare for an IME is to talk with your attorney ahead of time. When you seek legal advice, that guidance can make a big difference in how you approach the exam and how well you protect your rights during a workers’ compensation case.
Your attorney can review what to expect during the exam, answer your questions, and help you get your records in order. They’ll explain what you should bring — and just as importantly, what you don’t need to provide or sign without legal review.
IME doctors work for the insurance company, and insurers often use these exams to limit or stop benefits. Having a clear plan and understanding your rights in a workers’ comp case before you go in can help you avoid mistakes that insurers might use against you later.
Don’t try to handle the IME process alone. Professional guidance helps you feel more confident and prepared, reducing the stress that comes with these exams.
If you’re wondering about what happens after your IME and how the results can affect your claim, check out our [[[What Happens After an IME guide LINK]]] for planning your next steps.
Stay One Step Ahead of the IME
Preparation is your way of standing up for yourself in a system that can feel one-sided. When you understand what an IME is really for and how insurers use it, you can walk in knowing you’re ready to speak honestly and protect what matters most.
You don’t have to accept an insurer’s version of your recovery or let their hired doctor define your future. With the right approach, you can stay true to your experience and make sure your story is heard.
At Krasno Law, we’ve spent decades guiding injured workers across Pennsylvania through every step of the workers’ compensation process. From getting you ready for an IME and making sure your rights are protected to standing up for you in court when your benefits are challenged, we’re here to handle the pressure so you can focus on healing.
Get your free consultation and talk to someone who understands what you’re up against.
