So You’ve Been Asked to Attend a Workers Compensation Independent Medical Examination

Somewhere between opening the email and rereading it for the third time, many people have the same thought:

“This sounds polite… but I’m not sure I like it.”

If you’ve been asked to attend a Workers Compensation Independent Medical Examination (IME), you’re not alone in feeling uncertain, uneasy, or quietly sceptical. IMEs have a way of sounding supportive while also feeling strangely formal, a bit like being told, “This won’t hurt,” just before a blood test.

Let’s unpack what’s actually going on.

First Things First: What is a Workers Compensation Independent Medical Examination?

An IME is an assessment arranged by an employer or insurer to obtain an independent medical opinion about your health and, most importantly, your capacity for work. These assessments often arise in the context of workplace mental health concerns or psychological injury.

It’s not therapy. It’s not treatment. And no, it’s not a secret test of whether you’re a “good” or “bad” person.

An IME is about function, what you can do, what’s difficult right now, and what support might realistically be needed in the near future.

Think of it less as a conversation about how you feel, and more as a structured snapshot of how you’re currently functioning.

But… is the IME Doctor Really “Independent”?

This is one of the most common questions, usually followed by a raised eyebrow.

The IME doctor is:

• Medically qualified

• Independent of your treating clinicians

• Engaged by the organisation requesting the assessment

• Required to write a report answering specific questions

They are not your treating doctor, and they won’t be offering therapy, reassurance, or a long-term plan. That doesn’t mean they’re adversarial but their role is evaluative, not supportive.

In other words: this is not the appointment where you unpack your life story from childhood onwards.

What Actually Happens in the Appointment?

IME appointments tend to be:

• Structured

• Time-limited

• Focused on capacity and function

You may be asked about:

• Your current symptoms

• Your daily routine

• Your work role and demands

• What you can manage

• What you find difficult

• What helps — and what doesn’t

If the IME is via telehealth, don’t be fooled by the casual setting. Being at home doesn’t make it informal — it just means you don’t have to find parking.

What an IME Does Not Do

An IME does not replace your treating clinicians, does not direct your treatment, and does not make immediate decisions about your employment or claim. Any decisions occur after the assessment and are made by the organisation that requested the IME, not during the appointment itself.

How to Approach it (Without Overthinking It)

Here’s the good news: You don’t need a script. You don’t need to “perform”. And you don’t need to convince anyone of anything.

What helps most is being:

• Honest

• Accurate

• Calm

• Clear

IME doctors are trained to listen for consistency and clarity — not dramatic flair.

A useful rule of thumb:

Describe your experience as if you were explaining it to someone sensible, neutral, and mildly interested.

Focus on:

• What you can do

• What you can’t do (yet)

• What worsens symptoms

• What helps you function better

It’s perfectly acceptable to say:

• “I’m not sure”

• “I don’t know”

• “That hasn’t been explained to me”

Guessing, speculating, or trying to mind-read the process usually creates more trouble than it solves.

A Note About Boundaries

IME assessments are usually conducted for a specific purpose, such as understanding your current capacity for work. You are not expected to provide a complete personal history unless it is relevant to the questions being asked.

If a question feels unclear or outside your understanding of the IME’s purpose, it is appropriate to ask for clarification before answering.

During the IME

A few practical reminders:

• You can ask for clarification if a question doesn’t make sense

• You can take your time answering

• You can note or later raise clear factual errors if you become aware of them.

• You can ask for a brief pause if you feel overwhelmed

You are not required to agree with opinions expressed during the assessment. And no, you don’t get graded at the end.

After the Appointment

Once the IME is over:

• The doctor writes a report

• The report goes to the organisation that arranged the IME

• You may not automatically receive a copy

Many people feel drained, unsettled, or flat afterwards. That’s not a sign it went badly — it’s a normal response to being assessed rather than supported.

If you notice increased distress, that’s something to take back to your treating psychologist, whose role is to support you through the emotional impact of the process.

Can I see the IME report?

This is one of the most common questions people have and understandably so.

In Australia, people can usually request access to their IME report if it has been used to inform decisions about their work capacity, employment, or an insurance or compensation matter.

You may not automatically receive a copy of the report, as processes vary depending on the scheme involved (for example, NSW workers compensation or Comcare). In many cases, however, you can request access from the organisation that arranged the assessment.

In practice:

• The report may be provided directly to you, or

• It may be sent to your treating doctor, who can discuss the contents with you

There are limited circumstances where access may be delayed or restricted, and if this occurs, the reasons should be explained to you.

If you would like a copy of your IME report, it is generally best to make the request in writing. If you are unsure how to do this, or have concerns about how the report has been used, you may wish to seek independent legal advice specific to your situation.

What if the IME Report Isn’t Accurate?

Another common concern is whether the IME report will accurately reflect what was discussed.

IME reports are written summaries of a clinical assessment, and like any report, they rely on:

• What was said

• How it was interpreted

• What the examiner considered most relevant to the questions they were asked

Occasionally, people worry that:

• Something was misunderstood

• Important context was missed

• A factual detail was incorrect

If you obtain a copy of the report and notice a clear factual error (for example, incorrect dates, diagnoses, job details, or statements you did not make), it is reasonable to raise this.

In most cases, this is best done by:

• Discussing the report with your treating clinician, who can help you interpret it

• Seeking advice about the most appropriate way to respond, if needed

It’s generally not helpful to argue opinions or conclusions. However, ensuring that basic facts are correct supports fairness and clarity in any decisions made using the report.

If you have concerns about how an IME report has been relied upon, you may wish to seek independent legal advice about your options.

If You’re Feeling Particularly Unwell Right Now

For some people, an IME occurs at a time when they are already struggling physically or psychologically. If you are feeling significantly unwell, overwhelmed, or depleted, it’s important to remember that the IME is intended to capture your current capacity, not to test your resilience or strength.

You are allowed to:

• Take things slowly

• Let the examiner know if you are having difficulty concentrating or responding

• Ask for brief pauses if needed

If the process leaves you feeling more distressed, reaching out to your treating clinician for support and debriefing is an important next step. The IME is one part of a broader process — it is not a measure of your worth, effort, or commitment.

At iflow Psychology, we regularly support people navigating IMEs alongside broader workplace mental health and insurance-related psychological processes. This includes individuals seeking a psychologist in Gladesville during complex workplace or insurance-related matters. Our role is not to influence the IME, but to provide steady, ethical psychological support before and after the assessment.

For many people, having a steady therapeutic space alongside these processes helps reduce distress and restore a sense of perspective.

A Final Word

An IME can feel impersonal — sometimes uncomfortably so. But it’s best approached as a process, not a judgement.

You don’t need to prove your worth, justify your character, or deliver the “perfect” answer. You simply need to describe your experience clearly and honestly.

Support, reflection, and care belong in therapy. Assessment belongs in an IME.

Knowing the difference helps you walk into the appointment steadier — and walk out with your dignity intact.

Most people leave an IME feeling uncertain rather than relieved — and that, too, is normal.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information only. It does not constitute medical advice, legal advice, or individual guidance.

IME processes vary depending on the organisation, jurisdiction, and purpose of the assessment. If you have specific concerns about employment, insurance, or legal matters, you should seek independent legal advice. For health and wellbeing support, continue to engage with your treating health professionals.