FAQ

1. Why use National IME Centres Inc. (NIME)?
2. How do I know when to choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon or a Physiatrist?
3. What is the difference between Neurology and Neuropsychology?
4. Do I need the services of a Psychiatrist or Psychologist for my IME?
5. What type of information is required by the specialist for an IME?
6. What is your cancellation policy?
7. Where do the evaluations take place?
8. What is the turnaround time for report delivery?
9. Can you arrange for interpreter services and transportation?
10. Does National IME Centres Inc. contact the examinee directly?
11. Can you help me decide which specialist should be retained?

 

---

 

1. Why use National IME Centres Inc. (NIME)?

    

   We offer the most comprehensive and experienced roster of medicolegal experts in Canada. NIME offers qualified experts for all specialties and sub-specialties, nation-wide. Our support staff members are all highly trained with extensive, direct industry experience. Our access to the best experts, combined with our quaity assurance program, provide evaluations and reports that are unsurpassed.

    

2. How do I know when to choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon or a Physiatrist?

    

   Orthopaedic surgeons and physiatrists both specialize in musculoskeletal disorders. Most often orthopaedic surgeons are used when evaluating individuals who have had a surgical procedure during the medical history relevant to the medicolegal determination in question. Physiatrist are more commonly called-upon for medicolegal IMEs when there is an absence of a surgical procedure and/or the circumstances are predominated by complications associated with pain or comorbidities. It is important to note that not all surgeons or physiatrists are equally qualified to provide medicolegal opinions. For example, there are several sub-specialties in orthopaedics and you will want to choose the experts with the sub-specialty that is most relevant to your case.

    

3. What is the difference between Neurology and Neuropsychology?

    

   Neurologists evaluate and treat disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. Disorders involving neurology treatment most often include identifiable organic pathology, e.g. - brain tumour or nerve entrapment. A neurosurgeon would treat these disorders when there are surgical implications. Neuropsychology combines the diagnosed or assumed presence of organic brain pathology with analysis of the consequences of that pathology on an individual’s psychological status and/or cognitive function. E.g. Neuropsychologists will determine how damage to a certain area of the brain might be affecting levels of depression, or thought process.

    

4. Do I need the services of a Psychiatrist or Psychologist for my IME?

    

   A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in psychological disorders. Because Psychiatrists are medical doctors, their education, training and experience enables a greater understanding of medical conditions outside the realm of psychology. A Psychiatrist may be more helpful in situations where comorbidities outside of the psychological realm exist. Psychiatrists also prescribe medication and therefore are often preferred in assessment circumstances where psychotropic medications are involved. Psychologists have a doctorate degree in psychology but are not medical doctors. They are experts in assessing, diagnosing and treating psychological conditions. Psychologists tend to use more standardized evaluation tools such as pencil and paper questionnaires. Both Psychiatrists and Psychologists use the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

    

5. What type of information is required by the specialist for an IME?

    

   A letter of instruction addressed to the specialist is required along with any medical records that are related to the case, such as, hospital records, treating physician notes and records, consultation reports by experts, diagnostic imaging reports, rehabilitation records, and any other independent reports, etc. Click here for a copy of our referral checklist. Further, a NIME representative will review the available documentation and provide opinions on missing or incomplete documentation.

    

6. What is your cancellation policy?

    

   There is some variance depending upon the expert. We will inform you of the expert’s timeline upon referral intake. Average timelines are 5 business days from the scheduled date of evaluation. Cancellation fees are typically 30-50% of the evaluation/report fees.

    

7. Where do the evaluations take place?

    

   In the vast majority of circumstances, the evaluations take place at the expert assessor’s own medical office. On occasion, there is a need to have an expert travel to accommodate individual needs. In these circumstances, NIME uses a network of medical facilities across the country.

    

8. What is the turnaround time for report delivery?

    

   Report turnaround time averages 3 to 4 weeks depending on the type of evaluation. We will accommodate rush assessments as able. Let us do the “leg work” for you.

    

9. Can you arrange for interpreter services and transportation?

    

   We would be happy to arrange for interpreter services or transportation and accommodation for the evaluation. Please request at time of booking and we will make arrangements.

    

10. Does National IME Centres Inc. contact the examinee directly?

     

    In order to maintain an independent position, we do not contact the examinee directly. We will provide the referring party with all relevant appointment information so it can be passed along to the examinee.

     

11. Can you help me decide which specialist should be retained?

     

    Absolutely. We have experienced staff to help answer your questions and ensure we book the correct expert to fit the evaluation requirements. All specialists have been vetted by our internal staff and work under letters of agreement or contracts. All experts provide NIME with updated curriculum vitae that are available for your review.