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Designated Doctor Evaluations
Maximum
Medical Improvement Determinations
Impairment Rating Assessment
Required Medical Examinations
Return To Work Certification
Evaluation of Medical Care Assessment
Certifying Doctor Evaluations
Prospective Review of Medical Care (PRM)
Independent Medical Evaluations
Medical Peer Review
Second Medical Opinion Services
Pre-Employment Screening and Testing
Disability Evaluations and Testing
Personal Injury, General Liability and Auto Injury Examinations
 Designated Doctor Evaluation
A Designated doctor is appointed by the Division of Workers Comp
to recommend a resolution of a dispute as to the medical condition of an injured
worker pertaining to issues such as:
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Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) |
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Determination of existence of permanent impairment (IR) |
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Return to work status (RTW) |
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Evaluation of Medical Care (EMC) |
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Any other medical questions regarding the injured workers medical condition |
In order to serve as a Designated Doctor, a physician must be
certified through the Division of Workers Comp and be appointed to the (ADL)
Approved Doctors List and additionally certified to perform MMI and Impairment
Rating Examinations
The Designated Doctor's opinion carries presumptive weight with regard to the above issues. The Designated Doctor must not treat the injured worker or refer the injured worker for treatment
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Required Medical Examination
Required Medical Examinations (RME) may be requested by the Division
of Workers Comp, insurance carrier for the employer, employee, or the employee
representative.
The RME doctor must perform unbiased evaluations of the injured employee and as directed by the RME order, included but not limited to evaluations of the following:
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The accuracy of the diagnosis and appropriateness of the treatment of the employee |
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The employee's medical condition |
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The employee's work status, ability to work, and work restrictions |
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Maximum Medical Improvement and Impairment Rating assessments
(only following an examination by a Designated Doctor or otherwise directed
by the DWC). |
In order to serve as a RME Doctor, a physician must be certified
through the Division of Workers Comp and be appointed to the (ADL) Approved
Doctors List.
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Certifying Doctor Evaluations
A Certifying Doctor Examination is performed by a doctor who is
certified through the Division of Workers Comp to perform Maximum Medical Improvement
and Impairment Rating Examinations.
A Certifying Doctor Examination is requested by the injured employee's treating physician for the determination of Maximum Medical Improvement and/or Impairment Rating Assessment.
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Prospective Review of Medical Care (PRM)
Prospective Review of Medical Care (PRM) examinations may be requested by the injured worker, the physician proposing the treatment/care, or the injured worker's representative.
This evaluation will address the medical necessity of medical
care that does not require pre-authorization, prior to that medical care being
provided. The PRM must be performed by a physician selected by the DWC from
the Approved Doctors List (ADL). The PRM examination is intended to provide
an unbiased opinion regarding whether the proposed treatment is medical necessary,
and if at issues, whether the medical condition to be treated is causally related
to the compensable injury.
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Independent Medical Evaluation / Second Medical Opinion
Independent Medical Examinations (IME) render impartial medical opinions with regards to a patients medical condition due to a work related matter, personal injury, general liability, or auto injury utilizing the appropriate criteria for the case.
The issues addressed in most IME's are:
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Diagnosis |
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Causal Relationship |
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Prognosis |
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Maximum Medical Improvement |
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Disability Determination |
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Pre-existing Determination |
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Existence of a Permanent Impairment |
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Work Capability |
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Appropriateness of Medical Care |
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Second Opinion regarding surgical procedures |
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Medical Peer Review
The peer review or utilization review doctor evaluates the medical condition as well as the health care services by review of medical records only. An examination of the patient does not take place and determinations are based solely on medical records as provided.
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Pre-Employment Screening and Examinations
Pre-Employment Screening and Examinations are performed for employers who require applicants who have been given a job offer to undergo physical and psychological examinations prior to commencing their employment. Our physicians will review the detailed job description for which the prospect is to be hired for, paying particular attention to the stresses and strains that will be placed on the body of the employee and what physical requirements apply to the job.
Our representatives are available for a detailed on-site analysis as well as on-site testing if necessary.
MET physicians are trained in the requirement of the Americans
with Disability Act (ADA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC).
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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Disability Evaluations and Testing
MET can provide evaluations for "medically determinable" impairment. The medical impairment must be demonstrably anatomically, physiologicaly or psychologically abnormal. To meet the definition of disability in the Social Security Act, the claimant's medical impairment must be of such severity that they are not only unable to do the work done previously, but also cannot perform any kind of substantial gainful employment.
An independent examination report from a medical doctor must include statements which detail what a claimant can do despite their impairments.
Issues that need to be addressed in order of importance are:
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The medical impairment that is causing the disability. |
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Causal relationship to the disability (the cause rendering the patient incapable of performing work) - causation often being a critical issue in workers' compensation and liability cases. |
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The temporary or permanent nature of the disability. |
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The Prognosis - The probability and predicted time of recovery. Besides the underlying cause, how do such factors as social environment, attitude coexisting problems, and possible future risks affect recovery. |
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Has the claimant met clinical Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Clinical MMI is based on the reasonable medical probability that no further material recovery from or lasting improvement to an injury can reasonably be expected. |
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Work capability or Functional Capacity - Parameters contained in the U.S. Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles, which are primarily lifting requirements. |
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Appropriateness of Care or issues of missing records that need to be obtained, additional diagnostic studies or consultations are addressed. |
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Impairment Rating - Impairment is not synonymous with disability. |
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Impairment is a measurable decrement in health status evaluated by medical means. AMA Guidelines are most often the criteria used. |
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Disability is assessed by the consideration of non-medical issues such as the person's educational and vocational skills, experience and age. |
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Recommendations including unnecessary and/or omitted diagnostic evaluation and inappropriate, excessive, and/or omitted treatment. |
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To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Texas,
call 1-800-845-8982 or use our Patient Appointment Form.
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