Medical Treatment and IMEs

ChatGPT-Image-Nov-30-2025-03_42_46-PM-1024x683 If you’re hurt on the job in Massachusetts, one of the most stressful moments in your workers’ compensation case is the Independent Medical Examination, commonly called an IME. The workers’ comp insurance company sends you to a doctor who they choose, at a time they choose, for an exam you didn’t ask for.

And sometimes, that doctor comes back with a report that says the one thing you’ve been dreading:

“The injury is not work-related.”

If that just happened to you, you’re not alone—and your case is far from over. At Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, we hear from injured workers every week who find themselves in this exact situation. This blog breaks down what that IME really means, what the insurance company is trying to do, and most importantly, what you can do next to protect your benefits.

doctor-and-patient-photo-1024x683 If you’re hurt on the job and receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Massachusetts, there’s a good chance the insurance company will eventually send you a letter telling you to attend something called an IME.

Most injured workers panic when this happens — and for good reason. An IME can affect your weekly checks, your medical treatment, and the entire direction of your case. But once you understand what an IME really is, why the insurance company is sending you to one, and how the results are used, you’ll be in a much better position to protect yourself.

This guide breaks it all down in simple, blue-collar language.

What Exactly Is an IME?

IME stands for Independent Medical Examination.

But the name is misleading. The doctor isn’t independent, and this exam is not for your benefit. The exam is ordered by the insurance company, done by a doctor they choose, and performed for the sole purpose of giving the insurer a medical opinion that can be used to:

Stop or reduce your weekly checks
Deny or limit your medical treatment
Claim you can go back to work
Say your condition is “pre-existing”
Dispute whether your injury is work-related

The doctor is not your treating physician and has no intention of giving you medical advice or helping you heal. Their job is simply to examine you quickly, review your medical records, and submit a written report that the insurer can use.

Articles Posted in Medical Treatment and IMEs

Why Is the Insurance Company Sending Me for an IME? What Massachusetts Workers Need to Know.

What Exactly Is an IME?