Ask A Lawyer: Independent Medical Evaluations
We speak to a lawyer from our team, and read them some questions from potential clients with Bipolar Disorder. Read more to find out about specific issues surrounding Bipolar Disorder and disabilities claims and IME's.
Q: As a potential client diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, if my insurance company requests an IME, is it mandatory for me to have the examination?
Of course, you can always decline submitting an IME, but it’s extremely important to weigh the potential consequences. If your insurance company has already denied your claim and you are not receiving any benefits, you may not have as much to lose. However, if your claim is still pending or you are currently receiving benefits, denying an IME can cause these benefits to be cut off. Therefore, the decision to deny an examination should be discussed with your lawyer, who can help you decide whether the insurance company’s request for an IME is lawful.
Q: If the insurance company requests an IME for my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, am I allowed to bring someone into the room with me during the examination? Also, what exactly is an IME?
A: You can make a request to bring someone along with you, however, many assessors do not allow it – persistence and non-cooperation may result in termination or suspension of benefits.
An IME is meant to provide an unbiased and professional medical examination in legal matters, and is conducted by a medical specialist who has never previously offered medical care to the individual. The medical professional cannot be employed by the party requesting it, such as the insurance company, yet insurance companies typically use the same doctors in order to have some control over the outcome of the report.
Q: Having recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, can I request a copy of the IME (Independent Medical Examination) report?
A: If your insurance company requests an independent medical examination and your claim has been denied, you do have the right to request a copy of the IME report because you will want to know why the claim has been denied.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
