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Employers, providers flag IME scheduling delays as driver of extended time loss
Summary
At the May 7 MLAC meeting, a provider and employers raised concerns that difficulty scheduling Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) increases time loss and employer costs; MLAC members said the issue is tied to broader provider access and remains on the workplan.
Taran, who identified an affiliation with Cascada Thermal Springs Spa and Hotel in Portland, told the committee that a major pain point is scheduling Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs). "One of the major pain points... is scheduling IMEs because employers continue paying losses and other expenses if they cannot get the worker back to work," Taran said.
MLAC members and Administrator Matt West replied that the IME issue is part of the larger access-to-care problem. Ryan Hearn said scheduling IMEs "comes down to provider access" and suggested using all available IME vendors to identify workable schedules, while acknowledging the underlying need for more providers who can treat and evaluate injured workers. Co-Chair Patrick Priest noted that because the problem persists "it remains on MLAC’s workplan."
