Agreed Medical Evaluators (AME) And Panel Qualified Medical Evaluators (QME)

Almost all claims will either have an agreed medical evaluator (AME) or Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME).

Neither the injured worker nor the insurance company can have the injury evaluated by a doctor of their choice. The parties must either agree on a doctor to evaluate the claim (AME). If the parties are unable to agree which doctor to use, one of parties (most often the injured worker) must send a letter to the DWC Medical Unit. The Unit will generate a list of three doctors from their computer and send it to the parties. One of these doctors will be the Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). That doctor will be used to resolve the issues in the case. It takes about 45-60 days to get the list from the Unit and another 20 days to determine which doctor of the three will evaluate your case.

These examinations are very important to the outcome of your case. It is important that you tell these doctors all of your complaints, relating them to your employment/injury, but you must also be careful not to lead the doctor to believe that you faking, malingering, or merely pursuing your case to obtain as much money as possible.

FAILURE TO ATTEND THESE EXAMINATION OR TO REMAIN AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE UNTIL THE EXAMINATION IS COMPLETED WILL RESULT IS SUBSTANIAL DELAY IN YOUR CASE.

PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST 4 TO 6 HOURS TIME FOR THESE EXAMINATIONS.