Since July of this year, the California’s workers’ compensation system has used a process called Independent Medical Review (IMR) to resolve disputes about the medical treatment of injured employees. Independent Medical Review organizations are contracted by California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation to conduct IMRs on its behalf.
The IMR process is expected to resolve disputes more efficiently than the cumbersome and expensive court system. Since July, a request for medical treatment in the workers’ comp system must go through a review process to affirm that the treatment is medically required before it is approved. If treatment is denied, delayed, or modified, the injured employee may request an appeal of that decision.
IMR costs are paid by employers and are based on the nature of the medical dispute and the number of medical professionals required to resolve it. The expense of resolving a medical treatment dispute through IMR is expected to be substantially lower than the cost of litigating a treatment dispute. If medical treatment is denied, an injured worker (or someone she or he designates, like an experienced workers’ compensation attorney) may request IMR by submitting an application within 30 days of receiving the denial.
How IMR Affects Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Even with the introduction of the Independent Medical Review (IMR) system, the workers’ compensation process in California remains complex and often difficult to navigate. Disputes over medical treatment can still slow down or complicate a claim, especially when there are disagreements between doctors, insurers, and injured workers.
Because of this, many injured employees choose to seek help from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as early as possible. A qualified lawyer can review your case, explain your rights, and help ensure you are pursuing the full benefits you may be entitled to.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can also help move your claim forward more efficiently and address delays that may arise during the IMR process. If you are filing a claim or dealing with a dispute, having legal support can make the process more manageable and improve your chances of a fair outcome.