July 13, 2007
Did you know...?
There are many cases of erroneous impairment ratings, including bias, differences in clinical and causation assessment, and misapplication of AMA Guides criteria, either through lack of knowledge and skills in rating impairment or intent. The nature of the errors is such that most erroneous ratings will be higher, rather than lower.
There are several strategies to assure accurate impairment ratings, and to minimize misuse and abuse of the Guides. These include obtaining an accurate, unbiased rating; evaluating impairment ratings; managing erroneous ratings; and discrediting erroneous ratings. The first step is recognizing the high likelihood of error and becoming knowledgeable about the Guides.
The goal of the Guides is to provide consistent ratings, therefore reducing conflict. The Guides state “Two physicians, following the methods of the Guides to evaluate the same patient, should report similar results and reach similar conclusions.” (AMA Guides, p. 17) Yet, review of data reveals that this is often not achieved.
In the impairment rating review process, if the original rating is judged to be incorrect by an expert reviewer and there is adequate clinical information to rate impairment, then the case is re-rated using AMA Guides criteria and the data provided.
The Disability (Missouri) and Impairment rating should have the following:
· The physician doing the rating should be certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners.
· The basis of the rating must be based on objective findings. The objective findings must be clearly stated in the report.
· The answers to any specific questions you have asked must be clearly answered in the report.
If additional information beyond a Disability or Impairment rating is required, then an IME can be requested.
Questions such as: causation of the injury, work relatedness of an injury, appropriateness of treatment, is additional treatment indicated, apportionment of current injury with pre-existing conditions, and is the patient at maximum medical improvement can all be answered by having an Independent Medical Examination performed. This broader type of exam can also include a rating, if requested.
For more information regarding impairment ratings, visit http://www.impairment.com.
To find out how OHS-COMPCARE can help with your IME and/or rating needs or to learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |