QME stands for Qualified Medical Evaluator. The State of California defines QMEs as “Qualified physicians who are certified by the Division of Workers Compensation, a Medical Unit focused on examining injured workers to evaluate disability and write medical-legal reports.”
What is the QME process for injured workers?
A certified physician determines if a patient was injured through activities at the workplace and issues a report. However, the process can get complicated in some cases. It’s worth looking over the State of California Department of Industrial Relations FAQ about QMEs for injured workers. Here are a few of the important points to consider:
How long does the doctor have to issue the report?
The QME has 30 calendar days (plus additional time for mailing) from the date of your exam to issue the report. The physician may file an extension only in specific cases, including:
- Waiting for medical test results or lab work
- A consultation has been requested
- A “good cause” emergency such as a natural disaster or personal emergency
What happens if I receive a QME report with a disputed issue?
The QME will send a copy of the report to the Claims Administrator, to the Division of Workers’
Compensation Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU) and to you. Your attorney will receive a copy of the report and advise you about the next steps to ensure you get all the benefits to which you are entitled.
You can reach out to us to discuss your case.
