The first thing you should know is that the doctor performing the exam is paid by the insurance company. This means that the insurance company and your employer are looking for reasons to discontinue your workers’ compensation benefits either in whole or in part. There is no doctor–patient relationship established during this exam, which means nothing discussed is confidential. The sole purpose of this evaluation is to provide the employer and insurer with an expert opinion about the nature, cause, and extent of your injuries.
Take detailed notes on how the examination is conducted. Record what the doctor asked you to do — such as lifting your legs, bending, touching your toes, or rotating the injured area — and how long the exam lasted. These details can become important later if there’s a dispute about how thorough or fair the exam was.
The doctor’s opinion will significantly affect your benefits. For example, the doctor may claim that your injury was not work-related, giving the insurer grounds to deny or discontinue benefits. They may also find that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), meaning your condition is not expected to improve further — which could end your temporary wage loss benefits. Additionally, if the doctor concludes that prior treatment was unnecessary, the insurance company may refuse to pay for those medical bills.
It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated or discouraged when you receive the results of this exam. Remember, this is only one doctor’s opinion — and you do not have to accept it as final.
If you have had a medical examination and disagree with the results, call or text the workers’ compensation lawyers at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733. We offer free consultations, where we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you determine the best course of action moving forward.