Iowa
Ortho offers a comprehensive range of special
services and evaluations, including:
Independent Medical Examinations (IME), second opinions
for surgical and nonsurgical patients, disability
examinations, and medical record reviews. You can
be assured all examinations and opinions are provided
by physicians who are board certified in their field
including spine, shoulder, hip, knee, foot, and ankle.
Iowa Ortho
provides a full complement of
specialists, including pediatrics, sports medicine,
and adult reconstructive surgery.You can select Iowa
Ortho with confidence as your provider of special
evaluations and services.
Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)
The primary focus of an IME is to obtain an
impartial medical examination and opinion from an
independent physician.An IME is usually requested
to answer specific questions associated with the legal
nature of a claim and assist in resolving problems
with the medical claim. During
an IME, physicians are typically asked to provide
opinions on
Causation;
Diagnosis and prognosis;
Need for further treatment;
Casual relationship;
Current medical status;
Maximum medical improvement (MMI);
Appropriateness of medical care and treatment
provided;
Disability and the amount of impairment sustained;
Functional limitations and restrictions of
ADLs;
Further medical treatment or physician referrals.
To achieve the best result, the physician
providing the IME needs to be supplied with all
pertinent past and current medical records,
and a cover letter with all the information
the examiner is expected to obtain and specific
questions as to what should be addressed during
the IME.
It’s also important that the examining physician
is provided with all pertinent diagnostic studies
including x-rays, MRIs, myelograms, CTs, ultrasound,
and bone scan images, and pertinent medical
reports to supplant objective medical opinions on.
Second Opinions
Iowa Ortho
offers pre-surgical second opinions
and opinions addressing industrial accidents. Unlike,
an IME, a second opinion, addresses only one particular
opinion which is in question, where an IME is a
comprehensive evaluation and opinion.The majority
of second opinions are performed once it has been
recommended that surgical intervention is an appropriate
course of treatment. Second opinions are often utilized
for industrial accidents to support causation.
Like an IME, it’s also important that the
examining physician is provided with all pertinent
diagnostic studies including x-ray films, MRIs,
myelograms, CTs, ultrasound, and bone scan images,
and pertinent medical reports to supplant objective
medical opinions.This information should also be
accompanied by a cover letter containing the
issue that a second opinion is being obtained
to address.
Medical
Record Review and Narrative Opinion
This special service provides a thorough
review and opinion of the medical information contained
within the medical record including diagnostic studies
and objective testing such as Functional Capacity
Evaluations. An examination is not performed. A
cover letter with specific questions to be
addressed during the medical record review should
accompany the medical records and diagnostic studies.
Iowa Ortho
understands the importance of timely, thorough,
and accurate opinions.When necessary, the orthopaedic
surgeons at Iowa Ortho
work closely with pain management, physical
medicine and rehabilitation specialists who are
also available to see patients.
For more information on special
services, or to schedule an appointment for a special
service, please contact Iowa Ortho at 515-247-8400,
or toll free 800-642-6381.
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