FCE with an IME, FCE with an IRE

You may be asking what are these and how can they help me in closing a workers' compensation case? As a member of the team involved in managing the medical components of a workers' compensation claim, physicians may be asked to perform evaluations such as an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) or an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE). The results of these evaluations may have a significant impact on the future management of the workers' compensation claim.

An IME is an evaluation by a physician who is not involved in the care of the injured individual. This type of assessment is generally requested by the employer, insurance carrier or a rehabilitation nurse involved in the management of the case. The physician may be asked to address specific questions such as, if the injured individual is fully recovered or has attained maximal medical improvement and at what level he or she may be able to work. They may also be asked to determine what further testing or treatment may be warranted to aid the injured person in his or her recovery.

An IRE is an evaluation to identify a specific level of "impairment" an individual may present with secondary to his/her work related injury. This assessment requires the physician to utilize specific measurement tools as established in the American Medical Association "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment". The results of these tests are utilized to determine a whole body impairment rating. Pennsylvania law identifies individuals to be totally disabled if their whole body impairment rating is 50 percent or higher. For individuals whose rating falls below this benchmark, they are considered to have a temporary total disability with benefits payable for up to an additional 500 weeks.

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE), which is performed by a physical therapist, is a series of tests to assess a worker's ability to perform physical/job-related tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending/stooping, twisting, reaching, etc.

When performed in conjunction with an IME or an IRE, the FCE can help provide a clearer picture in determining the worker's current safe functional ability. This information can be utilized in determining the future management of the worker's compensation case, whether it be additional rehabilitation to aid the individual avenues to move toward case closure, such as working on a compromise and release agreement. By providing FCEs at many of our locations, THE pt GROUP strives to provide appropriate, cost-effective work injury management services to meet the needs of the communities we serve.