IME REPORT

[queenbee]

I had am IME on 12-13-2007 for IC on my neck.
IC said they felt neck injury didn't have anything to do with my fall.
My doctor who wants to do the shoulder surgery received the IME report on 12-24 and made an appt for me on 12-26.
He said IME dr said surgery is not needed on my neck at this time,
he recommended shoulder surgery and then wait until they see if the neck improved.

My dr said neck surgery is needed first (something to do with the nerves going into shoulder)
Dr called IC and told them that - at the same time my attorney filed for a hearing for surgery.
So I am just sitting here still after 13 months and two attorneys and I am still no closer to surgery.

When I was at IME I requested a copy of the report and I still hve not seen it.
Are we not allowed to get a copy?

When I first was injured I had some movement in my arm now I can hardly move it. It is like it is dead and just hanging next to me.
Tremors are now down both arm and are worse.
Doctors see this but what can they do- they know what needs to be done but can't due to IC.
I know my CM will hold this up as long as she can- but I am so worried that damage will be done that did not need to happen with timely care.

When we have our hearing will anyone look at the whole record an ask why this took so long?
Delay hasn't been on my part I have been waiting for 13 months for the okay.
I have a frend who fell last January and ended up with the same injuries I have. She went to my doctor, had surgery and was back to work by April. She used personal health ins.
She is now planning a vacation and I am still sitting here waiting.

I am jealous and angry because I feel if this was taken care of I would be back to living agan.
This game playing is wrong, I am sorry about the venting but I just don't know what to do. I only want the chance to get on with my life.

[lfoster21]

Hello and I am sorry that you are having to go throught this mess. Most of what you have described is the norm. for workman comp cases. As far as your question about the hearing and will they see the whole picture...my lawyer said that the judge looks at the evidence that ea. side has and unless the i/c has overwhelmin evidence that their choices are correct...they tend to side with the pts. drs. (At least that is here in VA). In my case, the i/c has said NO to a ew items, one was my surgery and the other was for p/t after I did have surgery. In both cases, they kept saying they could not approve it yet (they never came out and said no, at first, they just kept making excuses to put it off) none the less, they waited until the state put us on the docket...then they agreed to both of the above procedures. My lawyer said that it is a normal routine for the i/c's. They know it will take close to a year to get on the docket, so first they try to put it off by saying you need to see their Dr. and mayby a 2nd Dr. They say that they don't have the paperwork from your Dr. etc. Then, when there is nothing eles to do to pt off making a decision, they say no to what your Dr. says you need, knowing it will take a year or so to get on the docket. Then, when you do get put on for a court date, they then say they will pay for it.

As for getting a copy of your IME report, in VA I was told that becasue I did not pay for the visit (the i/c did) they could only release it to them. That wasn't the case, I actually could have fought to get it, using the HIPPA law. But it is just simpler to get it from your lawyer. It will be free and wil be given to you without questioning.

If there are any other questions that I could help you with, just let me know.

Good luck.

[queenbee]

lfoster
I was just wondering that today- I received paper from WC saying we filed for a hearing and will be notified of the date.
I was thinking since IC has paid for therapy, medicine, x-rays, dr visits, tens unit all for neck for the past year, how can they now say after a year they are not approving surgery .
I was hoping this is just another stall tactic and when they see your attorney and doctors will go to a hearing for you they might change thier minds.

But then again what do they care if it takes another year,
it is me that is suffering and that is what they want.
I am going to call the doctor who did IME and request the report again.
What did you mean you could have gotten it - how

[tweety00]

When I did a consult with lawyer about getting the Ime report
I was told to say What the the phone number of the w/c for the state ? That I wanted to know my rights about getting copies of the reports ..
All of a sudden after a few calls I then was told ooo sure you can get a copy from the ime doctor ... So filed out the paper work and got it .
Thats why knowing the laws for your state is SO important !!! Read and learn everything you can !

And Yes I did also use this site alot ... and at times didnt always get what I wanted to hear but sometimes I still look at the old forum ... Its got LOTS of great information

[capricorn]

Hi Queenee>>> good to see you. You have been given good legal advise. As far as the physical end I think I can help. I suffered a cervical, shoulder, lumbar, knee and ankle injury. Yep 5 body parts. I had lots of PT on my neck and it started to feel better BUT the pain in my arm, shoulder and hand were horrible. I had shoulder surgery. Had 3 different areas repaired. OK that being said, after the surgery things got worse. All PT was aggravating my neck. Had another EMG done and now was told that I had severe nerve damage in my neck. I have since stopped all PT because it makes me worse and I feel that after almost 2 years if it hasn't helped it's not going to. I started to see a CHiro who is in theprocess of working on all 5 body parts. I have to admit that after putting my skull back on my neck correctly i am seeing a slight positive improvement in the arm and hand pain. So the moral behind this is , most of the time hand and arm pain are coming from the nerved in the cervical area and take years toheal if they are going to. SOme of my shoulder pain IS coming from my shoulder but some was also from my neck. I am wishing you the best in getting some answers.


CAP