Independent Medical Review In California
When you’ve been injured on the job and filed a workers’ compensation claim but were denied medical care by your employer, the state of California requires the workers’ compensation system to proceed to an Independent Medical Review (IMR) to resolve such employer-employee disputes. The IMR was designed to resolve workplace injury medical treatment disagreements without going through costly and lengthy court proceedings. If after the IMR the employee’s medical treatment is denied or delayed, the injured employee is entitled to request a review of the IMR’s decision.
However, since IMR was implemented in 2013, it has proven to be as legally complicated, costly, and time-consuming as courtroom litigation in many cases. While intended to make it less difficult for injured workers, many believe it has made settling workers’ compensation medical disputes even more challenging.
When you’ve been injured because of a workplace accident, you are legally entitled to medical care and may be in for a battle when your request is denied. That’s where an IMR can assist.
“Fighting for the Average Joe® “ Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Inc. Represents Injured Workers in Riverside, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire
IMR Confusion – Utilization Reviews And Independent Medical Review Organizations
What does it all mean, and why is it so confusing? To begin the process, when an injured California employee files a workers’ compensation claim for medical treatment, their request must go through a Utilization Review (UR). All California employers and their workers’ compensation carriers are required by law to have a UR program which is used by claims administrators to decide if proposed medical treatment is necessary for an injured employee.
If the UR results in a denial or delay of your medical treatment, it’s critical that one or more objective, independent medical experts be commissioned to objectively decide the legitimacy of your claimed needs. That’s when an Independent Medical Review Organization (IMRO) must step in.
To resolve an employee’s medical treatment claim dispute, the California Department of Workers’ Compensation is required by law to contract one or more IMROs to review your need for medical care. Obviously, allowing your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier to decide whether you should receive medical treatment that they will be required to pay for is unwise since they have a vested financial interest in denying your request for your lawful benefits.
What Is An Independent Medical Review Organization (IMRO)?
In California, the Department of Industrial Relations administrative director has designated Maximus as the state’s IMRO. Maximus, a leading provider of independent reviews of health care appeals worldwide, is responsible for contracting with qualified medical providers to perform IMRs. Under California’s Maximus contract, their professionals provide independent medical reviews conducted by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, physical therapists, health appeals specialists, and various other professional health clinicians.
The Priority Should Be Focusing On Your Recovery, Not On The Complications Of An IMR
The last thing you need when you should be focusing on your recovery is trying to make sense of lengthy and detailed legalities of an IMR that will probably make no sense to you. Even some experienced attorneys are challenged by the workers’ compensation system and IMR process. But not the legal team of Workers' Compensation Lawyer, Inc.
Attorney Brian Freeman Respectfully and Vigilantly Fights for Employee Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Riverside
Vigilant, Dedicated Attorneys “Fighting for the Average Joe®”
After attorney Brian W. Freeman assesses your unique situation, if he determines he may be able to help you, he won’t charge you a cent upfront. Only if he successfully wins your case will he be paid a percentage of your benefits settlement, typically 15% of the total. And it never comes out of your pocket – the court handles attorney fees.
If you are an employee injured on the job who needs guidance through the complexities of workers’ compensation disputes, attorney Brian W. Freeman has the experience and knowledge to help you through the process. Whether you’ve already filed a claim, or your claim has been disputed or delayed, you will always be treated with respect, understanding and compassion as he works towards a favorable resolution.
Call 800-496-0563 or email us today for help with your workers’ compensation case.