The Department of Consumer and Business Services at the request of the Management-Labor Advisory Committee (MLAC) conducted a study of independent medical examinations (IMEs). The department formed a committee that researched statistics, held focus groups, and conducted surveys to get a clearer picture of how and when IMEs are used, what processes are in place to ensure accuracy, quality, and professionalism by IME doctors, and review issues.

The study focused on, but was not limited to:

Injured worker reports of their experiences

Description of the IME industry

Numbers of IMEs and cost data

Who is selected to be sent to an IME by an insurer and why

What are the results of the IMEs

Connection of IMEs to the worker-requested medical examinations

Review of IME letters and reports

The MLAC sponsors for this study were Brad Witt, Oregon AFL-CIO, employee representative and Ken Hector, CNF Service Company and Oregon Self-Insurers Association, employer representative

Upon completion of the study, a report was made to the full committee. Recommendations became SB311, which passed in the 2005 legislative session, and rule changes to OAR 436, Divisions 010, 055, and 060.


Final IME Study Report

Management-Labor Advisory Committee