How to Choose from a Panel QME?

Name: Eason & Tambornini, A Law Corporation
Price range: $

As workers’ compensation attorneys, we are often asked how to select the correct physician from a Panel QME (Qualified Medical Evaluator) List. This is an important question that takes considerable thought and should not be taken lightly.

The physician you choose is likely the person who will make many critical medical decisions involving your health. They will initially decide whether you need medical treatment (both present and future), whether you have a permanent lifelong injury/disability, and to what extent you are disabled. While you may have an opportunity to dispute some decisions or defer them to a workers’ compensation judge, ultimately, the original decision of the Panel QME will influence the outcome. The number one mistake injured workers make when choosing from the list is choosing a doctor based on their immediate availability or one they believe will expedite the case. A physician with an open calendar may see a patient sooner, but, as the adage goes: If you want someone good, find someone busy. Good physicians and good QMEs are typically active. Don’t make your decision based solely on a QME’s availability. Waiting a bit longer for an appointment with a reputable, reliable, and well-liked QME is worth the wait.

Also, please be careful not to hire a Panel QME physician because their office provides good customer service. An inviting demeanor and quality customer service do not necessarily mean they are an excellent QME. Look for a physician who spends time with you and your medical records and revisits your records to understand your case better. Find a QME regularly used and seen within the Workers’ Compensation system. They will understand how to write a meaningful report for the workers’ compensation judge.

Please review the information below to learn more about the different types of QME specialties and medical evaluations commonly involved in workers’ compensation cases. These resources are intended to help you better understand each area of treatment and evaluation.

If you would like to be represented in your workers’ compensation case, please do not hesitate to contact one of our workers’ compensation attorneys in Sacramento at Eason & Tambornini, ALC.