Causation & work-relatedness
A clear medical opinion on whether — and to what degree — a condition is work-related, grounded in the records and the clinical exam.
Objective evaluation
Independent Medical Examinations
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a one-time evaluation by a physician who has not treated the worker — providing a neutral, defensible opinion on diagnosis, causation, work-relatedness, appropriate treatment, work restrictions, and maximum medical improvement. One3's IMEs are performed by residency-trained, board-certified occupational medicine physicians, so the findings hold up where it matters: claims review, disputes, and return-to-work planning.
What you get
A neutral medical opinion that holds up.
Impairment rating & MMI
Maximum medical improvement determinations and impairment ratings using the AMA Guides, documented to withstand scrutiny.
Work restrictions & fitness-for-duty
Objective work-capacity and restriction findings tied to the actual job, supporting safe return-to-work and fitness-for-duty decisions.
Defensible, board-certified reporting
Standardized, timely reports from board-certified occupational medicine physicians — with expert testimony available when a case requires it.
When an IME helps
Where a credible, independent exam makes the difference.
An IME is a one-time evaluation by a physician who has not been involved in the worker's care. Because the opinion is independent and board-certified, it carries weight in exactly the moments where treatment history is contested.
- Workers' compensation claim disputes
- Second opinions on diagnosis or treatment
- Causation and work-relatedness questions
- Disability and long-term disability claims
- Return-to-work and fitness-for-duty decisions
- Maximum medical improvement (MMI) determinations
- Impairment ratings (AMA Guides)
- Pre-litigation and litigation support
How it works
Records in, defensible report out.
1. Records review
A One3 occupational medicine physician reviews the relevant medical records, imaging, and claim history before the exam.
2. Independent examination
A focused in-person or telehealth evaluation by a physician who has not treated the worker — neutral by design.
3. Defensible report
A clear, standardized written report addressing diagnosis, causation, work restrictions, MMI, and impairment — delivered on a predictable timeline.
FAQs
IMEs, answered.
What is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?
A neutral medical evaluation performed by a physician who has no treating relationship with the employee. It provides an objective, evidence-based opinion on diagnosis, causation, work capacity, and treatment — independent of any party in the claim.
When should an employer request an IME?
When a workers' comp, disability, or return-to-work decision hinges on a disputed or unclear medical question — conflicting diagnoses, questioned causation, prolonged claims, or work-capacity disagreements.
Who performs One3's IMEs?
Board-certified Occupational & Environmental Medicine physicians — specialists in exactly the work-relatedness and fitness-for-duty questions IMEs are meant to answer.
Will the IME report hold up in a dispute?
Reports are written to be defensible: methodical, evidence-cited, and clear on reasoning. Expert testimony is available when a case proceeds to hearing or litigation.
How is an IME different from the treating physician's opinion?
A treating physician advocates for their patient's care; an IME physician evaluates without a treatment relationship. That independence is what gives the opinion weight with carriers, TPAs, and courts.
Pricing & next steps
Need a credible independent exam?
One3 performs independent medical examinations through board-certified occupational medicine physicians, with defensible reporting and expert testimony available when a case requires it. Contact us to scope an IME for your claim.
Board-certified · All 50 states