If you’ve received a notice about an “Independent Medical Exam” after getting hurt on the job in Lansing, it’s not just a routine checkup. This appointment could become a turning point in your workers’ compensation case.
Insurance companies often use IMEs to challenge claims, reduce medical coverage, or cut off wage loss benefits. The doctor you’re sent to isn’t your treating physician and they’re not truly independent. In fact, many Lansing-area IME doctors are chosen because they’ve worked closely with local insurers like Accident Fund and have a history of writing reports that support denials.
Before you attend, it’s smart to talk to a Lansing workers’ comp attorney before your IME so you understand your rights and how this exam might be used against you.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect at your IME, how it can affect your claim, and what you can do to protect yourself before, during, and after the exam.
What Is an IME in a Michigan Workers’ Comp Case?
An Independent Medical Exam (IME) is a one-time evaluation ordered by the insurance company to assess your work injury and medical condition. Despite the name, the exam is anything but independent. The doctor is paid by the insurer, not chosen by you, and often has a long history of writing reports that favor denying or limiting benefits.
Why Are IMEs Ordered?
IMEs are used by employers and insurance carriers to:
- Dispute whether your injury is work-related
- Challenge your current treatment plan
- Argue that you’ve recovered enough to return to work
- Support a decision to stop paying wage loss or medical benefits
This makes the IME a high-stakes event in your Lansing workers’ comp case. What happens in that short appointment can dramatically shift how your claim is handled moving forward.
📉 Most IMEs Don’t Favor the Worker – In over 80% of Michigan IME exams, the doctor’s report supports the insurer’s position, not the injured worker’s.
When Are You Sent for an IME in Lansing?
You may be ordered to attend an Independent Medical Exam at several key points in the workers’ comp process. Often, it happens after your initial claim is filed but before any long-term benefits are approved. If there’s a dispute about your injury or you are approaching a hearing, the insurer may use the IME to challenge your case.
Some Lansing-based insurers, like Accident Fund, are known for regularly scheduling IMEs early in the process. The doctors they use are typically ones they’ve worked with before — professionals who know how to write reports that protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
⚠️ Watch Out for Repeat Exams – Some injured workers in Lansing get sent to more than one IME, especially if they continue to receive wage loss benefits. Even after your treating doctor clears you for continued care, the insurer might claim they “need another opinion.
🗺 Clark Insight: We’ve seen workers in Lansing sent to multiple IMEs by the same insurer even after their own doctor had already confirmed the severity of the injury. These repeat exams are rarely about medical clarity and more about reducing payouts.
What Lansing Workers Should Expect During the Exam
Most IMEs are short, uncomfortable, and skewed in the insurer’s favor. Understanding what happens at each step can help you stay calm and protect yourself. Here’s what to expect before, during, and after your appointment.
| ⏱️ Step | 📝 What Happens | ⚖️ What You Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | You check in at the clinic | Bring a photo ID and your appointment notice |
| Exam | Doctor evaluates your injury | It may feel rushed and impersonal |
| Questions | You’re asked how the injury happened and about your symptoms | Your answers may be used to deny or limit your benefits |
| Report | Doctor sends written findings to the insurance company | You may not automatically receive a copy unless you ask |
You are allowed to bring someone with you to the appointment. However, that person will likely not be permitted in the exam room.
🚫 Important Reminder: Be polite, but do not overshare. IME doctors are trained to notice inconsistencies in your statements or symptoms and may report anything that casts doubt on your credibility.
Red Flags to Watch Out For During Your IME
Insurance companies often choose doctors for IMEs who consistently side with employers. These exams can feel more like a formality than an honest medical evaluation. If your exam seems rushed or dismissive, you’re likely dealing with a biased process.
Here are some common red flags we’ve seen during Lansing-area IMEs:
- The exam is extremely short. If the doctor barely checks your injury or skips basic tests, that’s a red flag.
- You get interrupted or cut off. Some IME doctors try to reframe your answers to match what the insurer wants to hear.
- There’s no real conversation about your pain. You’re not asked how the injury affects your job, daily life, or future.
- They ignore your diagnostic records. Instead of reviewing your imaging or medical history, the doctor makes snap judgments.
📌 Common Tactic: “Fully Recovered” Reports. Even when your own doctor confirms that you’re still injured and need treatment, some Lansing IME doctors will write that you’ve made a full recovery. These reports are then used to justify stopping wage loss payments or cutting off your care.
What to Do Before and After Your IME Appointment
An IME can make or break your workers’ comp case especially in Lansing, where insurers rely on a familiar pool of examiners. The best thing you can do is treat the exam like a legal event, not just a medical one. Preparation is critical.
Here’s how to protect yourself at every stage:
📋 Checklist: How to Protect Yourself at an IME
| ✅ Step | 📌 What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| Before the Exam | |
| Review your medical history | Know your diagnosis, treatment timeline, and symptoms |
| Write down your limitations | Describe what hurts, what you can’t do, and how it affects work |
| Bring ID and paperwork | Take your appointment notice and any required documentation |
| Don’t guess or exaggerate | Stick to facts and speak honestly about your injury |
| Ask if a witness is allowed | Some workers bring a friend or family member to observe |
| After the Exam | |
| Write down what happened | Note what the doctor did and how long the visit lasted |
| Call your lawyer immediately | Share your experience before the report is finalized |
Being honest and calm helps. But staying passive can hurt you. Insurers are looking for any reason to minimize your claim, and the IME is their best tool to do it.
How IME Reports Are Used Against You
Most injured workers assume the IME is just another medical appointment. It’s not. In reality, the doctor’s report is often used as evidence to reduce or eliminate your benefits even if your treating physician disagrees.
Here’s how insurers weaponize the IME report:
- To stop wage loss benefits
A favorable report for the insurer may claim you’re “fully recovered,” which lets them halt weekly payments. - To deny future medical treatment
If the IME doctor disagrees with your treatment plan, the insurer may stop covering further care. - To influence settlement negotiations
Insurers often use a negative IME to pressure you into accepting a lower settlement. - To present evidence at a hearing
The report becomes part of the record and can carry significant weight with the magistrate — unless it’s challenged effectively.
⚖️ Clark Case Example: Fighting a Biased IME in Lansing. In one recent Lansing case, the IME doctor accused our client of faking his injury. But our team obtained surveillance footage from the jobsite and secured a detailed statement from the client’s treating orthopedic surgeon. The result? The magistrate rejected the IME report, and our client kept receiving benefits.
An unfavorable IME report is not the final word. You have legal options, especially if your attorney is involved early.
Do You Need a Lawyer Before the IME?
Yes and preferably before you walk into that exam room.
Too many Lansing workers go into their IME unprepared, thinking it’s a neutral evaluation. It’s not. The doctor was hired by the insurance company, not for your benefit, and their report can directly impact your wages, care, and future.
Here’s how a local workers’ comp attorney can help:
- Prepare you for the exam questions and tactics
- Ensure your records and timeline are clear and consistent
- Challenge a biased report or misleading conclusions
- Help you request a second opinion if necessary
- Represent you if benefits are suspended or denied
🧠 Important Insight: Lansing-area insurers like Accident Fund and Sedgwick know how to use IMEs to their advantage. Having a skilled advocate levels the playing field before problems arise.
Stay Informed, Stay Protected After an IME
An IME is more than just a routine doctor’s visit. It’s a strategic move by the insurance company often the first step in trying to deny or reduce your benefits. But with the right preparation and legal support, you can stay one step ahead.
Here’s what to remember:
- IMEs are rarely independent.
- The doctor works for the insurer, not for you.
- What you say and do during the exam can affect your entire claim.
- Being prepared makes a major difference.
📞 Need help reviewing your IME notice or report? Our team has represented countless injured workers across Lansing and understands how local insurers and doctors operate. Whether you’ve just received an exam notice or already went through an IME and feel something was off, we’re here to help.
❓ FAQ: Lansing IME Workers’ Comp Exams
How long does a Michigan workers’ comp IME take?
Most IMEs last between 15 and 30 minutes. Some may be as short as 5–10 minutes, especially if the doctor has already reviewed your records in advance.
Do I have to go to the IME the insurance company picks?
Yes. Under Michigan workers’ comp law, you are required to attend the exam scheduled by the insurer. Refusing to go can result in your benefits being suspended.
Can I bring someone with me to the IME?
You can bring someone for support, but they may not be allowed in the exam room. Some doctors prohibit observers or limit their involvement.
Will I get a copy of the IME report?
Not automatically. You or your attorney must formally request it. The insurance company receives it first and may not share it unless required.
Can a biased IME hurt my case?
Yes. Many IMEs favor the insurance company and are used to stop benefits. However, your lawyer can challenge the report with stronger medical evidence.
