I want specific information about the regional rates for IMEs and what
entities request these. The area of interest is the states of
Pennsylvania and New York. To break this down more specifically would
be to look at the northern tier of PA and the southern tier of New
York. I would like a list of the state agencies and disability
insurance companies or management companies that request the exams. I
want to know how to become a provider of these examinations in these
regions, specifically neurological IMEs. Contact names and numbers
for these entities would be greatly helpful to me. |
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
16 Oct 2003 11:49 PDT
Hello -
I would be interested in tackling your question, however, I'm unsure
as to the exact scope of your question. It seems as though you have 3
sub-questions within your parent question:
1) I want specific information about the regional rates for IMEs and
what
entities request these.
2) I want to know how to become a provider of these examinations in
these
regions, specifically neurological IMEs.
3) Contact names and numbers for these entities would be greatly
helpful to me.
At a $50 price point, I would be willing to address your first
question. If you would like all 3 questions answered, may I suggest
increasing your list price to $130+.
Thank you,
jbf777
researcher
|
Clarification of Question by
lilibean-ga
on
16 Oct 2003 13:02 PDT
In response to jbf777-ga's request for clarification, I appreciate the
suggestion. My counter proposal would be to ask you to address the
first question as you've outlined them for the $50 fee. If your
response to this is excellent then I will do further business with you
for the rest of the information. Does that seem fair to you?
I agree with the breakdown of the question into three parts.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
16 Oct 2003 13:26 PDT
Sounds good. I'm working on it!
|
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
17 Oct 2003 08:35 PDT
I talked to a company that's been compiling a list of specific
organizations that request IME's for 25 years -- their list is
proprietary, and the representative said there's really no way of
getting a specific list out there. They compiled their's over years
of attending seminars and "being in the industry". For an outsider to
seek information like this, it would be like asking "What companies
order from the Pizza Hut on 5th and Western" -- no one really knows
that except for the Pizza Hut. So there really isn't any pragmatic
way of obtaining a list like this.
As for rates, I would be able to do some investigating and perhaps
construct an average rate schedule between 5-7 different IME's in
those regions.
I feel pretty confident that I could answer your second question in
its entirety.
Please let me know how you'd like to proceed.
Thanks,
jbf777
|
Clarification of Question by
lilibean-ga
on
17 Oct 2003 12:44 PDT
jbf777,
That is interesting information. So, if I understand you correctly,
you think that you could generate the range of rates for IMEs in a
region, based on a sample of 5 - 7. You could also get the details of
how to become a provider.
Let me modify the question then to include rate information
(essentially a fee schedule) for a larger region. For example, how
much do the rates vary in let's say the entire state of Pennsylvania?
Are the rates regionalized like they are in health insurance
reimbursement? And specifically, the rates I am interested in are for
neurological IMEs.
Another region of interest would be New York City.
I would be interested in the answer to question 2 in it's entirety.
Let me know what you think you could find out and I would also be
interested in the process you used to glean this information.
Thanks,
Lilibean
|
Clarification of Question by
lilibean-ga
on
17 Oct 2003 13:06 PDT
jbf777,
I had an additional thought. How do these companies find physicians
to perform IMEs? What can we find out about that process?
lilibean
|
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
17 Oct 2003 20:49 PDT
lilibean -
>That is interesting information. So, if I understand you correctly,
>you think that you could generate the range of rates for IMEs in a
>region, based on a sample of 5 - 7. You could also get the details
of
>how to become a provider.
Yes, that's correct.
We just have to hone the scope of the question once more, and then
I'll continue work on it.
I think the $50 for this question would be best applied to question 2:
"I want to know how to become a provider of these examinations in
these regions, specifically neurological IMEs."
Remember, researchers only receive 75% of the list price for a
question.
Would you like me to answer that one? If so, could you tell me if you
yourself are a physician?
Thanks,
jbf777
|
Clarification of Question by
lilibean-ga
on
18 Oct 2003 07:34 PDT
Hi jbf777,
I would like you to answer question number 2 for $50. I work in a
physician's office and I am trying to obtain information from several
sources regarding this topic. My boss would like to know more about
this topic as a possible new area of practice development. This is
the data collection phase.
How soon can you complete the answer?
lilibean
|
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
18 Oct 2003 10:54 PDT
Sounds good. Thanks for the additional information.
Barring any unforeseen hold-ups, I should be able to have an answer by
either Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks,
jbf
|
Clarification of Question by
lilibean-ga
on
20 Oct 2003 09:01 PDT
jbf777,
Awaiting your answer.
lilibean
|
Hello lilibean -
Please note: I don't consider this answer finished until you're
satisified with it. If you choose to rate this answer, please do so
after asking for any necessary clarification/information. Thanks for
your understanding.
The American Board of Independent Medical Examiners is the primary
certification resource for IME's. According to their website, the
"ABIME is the world's Premiere Organization which sets the
credentialing standard for Independent Medical Examiners and
Disability Medicine. ABIME has educated and certified over 3,000
exceptional physicians and professionals since 1996. ABIME is the
number one source for Certified Physicians performing IMEs."
In general, according to the Workers Compensation Bureau, section 314A
of the federal Workers Compensation Act states that "any doctor of the
insurance company's choice" can perform an IME. However, according to
ABIME, there are 5 states that require additional state-level
certification:
Nevada
Colorado
Pennsylvania
Massachussettes
Ohio
The ABIME certification will fulfill the certification for
Pennsylvania.
ABIME's qualifications to be a certified IME are:
- 5 years in practice
- Have an active medical license
- Take a course that's 15 hours of CME, impairment and disability
assessment
- Successfully complete certification exam
The course, which costs $795, is done over a Saturday and a Sunday,
and is offered 7 times a year.
The exam costs $800.
According to the organization, neurologists typically "have no problem
with the exam." The first step is to call the ABIME, and they will
send this and additional information to you in an information packet.
There is nothing additional required for concentration in neurology.
Sources/Search Strategy:
Workers Compensation Bureau
800-482-2383
Google terms: independent medical examiner certification
Additional Link:
How To Be A Successful Independent Medical Examiner
Audio Cassette
http://www.4expertise.com/product13.html
This highly acclaimed program will teach you how to be more effective,
efficient and successful as an independent medical examiner. A wealth
of information is presented in a very lively fashion by Christopher R.
Brigham, MD, CIME, the founder of the American Board of Independent
Medical Examiners and the Editor-in-Chief of the AMA Guides
Newsletter. --> see more at URL |
Request for Answer Clarification by
lilibean-ga
on
21 Oct 2003 12:08 PDT
Hi jbf777,
I think the information provided is certainly useful and does answer
part of the question. The other aspect of the question that you
haven't addressed would be the nuts and bolts of becoming a provider
of IMEs that involves making connection with the insurers/state
agencies. The information you've provided addresses the credentialing
element. The second part of becoming a provider would be to make the
contacts with those needing the service. Do you have any information
on this aspect that you gleaned in your research or could you obtain
this information?
Additionally, you did state that you could generate a range of rates
or fees for the IME. Would you be willing to provide that research
for the states of Pennsylvania and New York for an additional $30?
Thanks,
Lilibean
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
21 Oct 2003 14:56 PDT
Hello Lilibean -
As I understood the way we arranged the question, the revised scope
was:
"I want to know how to become a provider of these examinations in
these regions, specifically neurological IMEs."
This was question 2, which you had said "[you] would like [me] to
answer question number 2 for $50."
I provided the information on how to become a provider, and the steps
necessary to do that along with any special circumstances for the 2
states. Making connections with the insurers/state agencies, which is
synonymous with "Where and how to find clients" is more in line with
the remaining marketing oriented questions (numbers 1 and 3).
Notwithstanding, I did actually talk with a rep from an organization
about this as I mentioned in a previous posting:
"I talked to a company that's been compiling a list of specific
organizations that request IME's for 25 years -- their list is
proprietary, and the representative said there's really no way of
getting a specific list out there. They compiled their's over years
of attending seminars and "being in the industry". For an outsider to
seek information like this, it would be like asking "What companies
order from the Pizza Hut on 5th and Western" -- no one really knows
that except for the Pizza Hut. So there really isn't any pragmatic
way of obtaining a list like this."
I would be willing to make additional contact, however, and see if I
can find any more information.
As for finding a range of rates for both states, I would be willing to
do that for $40. You can add a tip to the question if you'd like in
order to add the current list price.
Thanks,
jbf777-ga
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
21 Oct 2003 18:16 PDT
that should read: "... in order to add to the current list price."
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
lilibean-ga
on
22 Oct 2003 06:25 PDT
Dear jbf777,
For clarification, when a physician becomes a provider, it means that
he aligns with an insurance carrier and thus is listed by that carrier
as one of the providers for their clients. The list of insurance
providers is surely not proprietary as we could generate a list of
insurance companies. The problem with your information is that it is
from a very limited range of sources and does not tell the whole
story.
I feel that half of the question was ignored in the answer. It is not
what I expected for $50 but I will not ask for a refund.
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
22 Oct 2003 08:10 PDT
Lilibean -
As I stated originally:
"Please note: I don't consider this answer finished until you're
satisified with it. If you choose to rate this answer, please do so
after asking for any necessary clarification/information. Thanks for
your understanding."
This is an open-ended process. I would be willing to continue working
on this question until you're satisfied with it. In addition, I said
"Notwithstanding, I would continue looking for more information."
Your new clarification sheds different light on the subject. However,
now that you've rated it 2-stars, there's not much of an incentive for
me to continue working on it.
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
24 Oct 2003 09:29 PDT
In terms of becoming a visible IME practitioner: along with becoming
certified by the ABIME, you can also be listed within their directory,
which is used by various professionals in the industry that request
IME's. This $150/year once you're certified.
In addition, for $295/year, Maine-based Seak, Inc. will list you in
their similar directory. Their website is: http://www.seak.com/.
|
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