Under Michigan’s New Auto Insurance Law, How Will Independent Medical Exams Change?

• June 30, 2020

Michigan’s overhaul of their no-fault system is taking effect July 1, impacting all local drivers and their insurance policies. One of the many areas of insurance that will be affected is the independent medical examination, which insurers utilize to their advantage. Under the old law, insurers could have any physician of their choosing evaluate claimants, regardless of their qualifications.

The new law sets specific qualifications that some say will help claimants receive the benefits they need. Under the new law, physicians must be of the same specialty as the claimant’s personal physician, which includes board certification if the physician is also board certified.

Additionally, in the year preceding the examination, the assigned physician must show to have devoted their professional time to either or both of the following:

• The practice of medicine and the practice relevant to the specialty


• The instruction of students in an accredited medical school or residency/clinical research program for physicians, and the instruction of students in the specialty

What is an Independent Medical Examination?

An independent medical examination (IME) is when insurance companies send injured victims for an evaluation by a physician of their choosing after the victim has already been assessed by their own doctor. These “independent doctors” are selected by either the claims adjuster or the insurance company’s attorney, though many don’t trust the evaluation, alleging that doctors are paid to find nothing wrong with claimants so they can avoid having to provide them with compensation.

Many evaluations are often too short at just 10 or 15 minutes, as insurance doctors are often more concerned with insurance company profits than they are with the health and safety of car accident victims.

Because the new law requires independent doctors to meet specific qualifications, many are hoping this means auto accident victims will be more likely to get the coverage they deserve through more accurate, in-depth medical evaluations.

Fighting for Full Compensation

Most people generally trust their insurance providers, assuming they will honor their existing policies and have no reason to deny them the coverage they deserve after they’ve been injured in a car accident. Unfortunately, many people learn the hard way that insurance companies are for-profit businesses that are looking to make as much money as possible and avoid having to shell out more than they have to at the end of the day.

This is why you need to hire a personal injury attorney following your accident. Our team is able to handle all communication with insurance companies to avoid them using what you say against you in your case. We can also determine how much compensation you need to pay for damages that include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. You shouldn’t be forced to pay out-of-pocket to treat injuries that another caused. Our team has recovered millions successfully in verdicts and settlements and can help you when you call.

Contact Goodman Acker P.C. online or at (248) 286-8100 if you’ve been involved in a car accident and are suffering from your injuries. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience helping victims recover and we’re not afraid to stand up to insurance companies and negligent drivers.