A QME is a medical professional who is credentialed by the state to perform qualified medical examinations required for certain workers’ compensation cases. For a more detailed look at what a QME is, take a look at this article.
Recently on the RateFast Work Comp Report podcast we interviewed Dr. Nissen about being a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME). Dr. Nissen discussed what he called “the art of the QME”—a skillset that involves using creativity and critical thinking to overcome several unique challenges.
A few of these challenges are described below.
Understanding the American Medical Association Guide to Impairment Rating and Evaluation.
Using the huge tome commonly known as the AMA Guides demands a depth-of-knowledge that few physicians take the time to develop. In order to serve as an effective impartial examiner, the QME is responsible for knowing the Guides back-to-front. This knowledge directly informs all other aspects of QME’s work with the claim, from performing the physical exam to determining impairment.
Assessing previous medical charts.
Medical charts for a single patient are often hundreds of pages long, and the ability to review them for relevant information takes practice, insight, and real-time analysis.
Performing an accurate physical evaluation.
The QME evaluates the patient according to the Guides, reviewing all thirty-four activities of daily living, and taking repeated measurements depending on the type of injury. A correct evaluation requires extensive knowledge of the Guides and rigorous attention to detail.
Creating a precise and correct impairment rating.
All of the relevant medical charts and all new information generated by the QME’s physical exam must be collected into the QME’s report. This data must be accurate; after all, the QME’s role is to bring objectivity to the claim, so reproducibility of results is key.
Conclusion
Dr. Nissen argues that in order for QME reports to truly benefit injured workers, physicians need a system for collecting consistent data. Accurate and meaningful data results in less legation, and ultimately the speedy close of the workers’ compensation claim.
Fortunately, such a system has been developed. RateFast is a total workers’ compensation solution that helps providers perform perfect exams, document patient medical histories, format and organize reports, and determine impairment ratings according to the AMA Guides. We urge medical providers, QMEs, and anyone who is interested in improving workers’ compensation to join RateFast for free.