I.     Evaluation for Permanent Impairment (PI):

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A workmen's compensation evaluation for permanent impairment is required to determine if any of the regular functions and mobility of the affected bodily area have been permanently or partially impaired by the employee's work injury. If an impairment is determined, the qualified doctor assesses and assigns a percentage rating to quantify the impairment found.

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A permanent impairment disability is assessed as either a Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or a Permanent Total Disability (PTD). Any permanent impairment rating between 1% to 99% is considered as PPD, while an injury assessed and given an impairment rating of 100% is considered PTD (or by determination based on substantial evidential medical facts). Any permanent impairment rating assigned as a whole-body or whole person will not be considered for compensation claim by the Commission. Thus, the doctor must convert the whole-body rating to identify each bodily area affected and the impairment rating assigned for each.

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For permanent impairment examinations, only a local qualified doctor authorized by the Commission is allowed to conduct such examination and evaluation. The Commission also accept PI evaluations conducted abroad by any qualified doctor who is fully certified or authorized under the laws of the United States to conduct any related workmen's compensation evaluations.

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Other Requirements of Conducting a PI Evaluation:

 

​All permanent impairment evaluations (PI) must abide with guidelines set by the American Medical Association (AMA) on permanent impairments, unless stated as otherwise by the Commission. A qualified doctor can only use either the 4th, 5th, or the 6th edition of the AMA Guidelines for Permanent Impairment to conduct a PI evaluation. More importantly, no PI evaluation shall be conducted unless the patient fully reaches the clinical Maximum Medical Improvement date (or MMI date).

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Note: All qualified doctors are responsible on acquiring any of the required AMA guideline editions on their own, including the training to familiarize with such guidelines when needed.

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When to Conduct a PI Evaluation:

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An employee may voluntarily pursue and facilitate a PI evaluation at any time on his own before or after filing a claim. He or she may do so after returning full duties to work or upon reaching the clinical MMI date. The Commission's Office, or an insurance carrier, may also require the employee to furnish and provide an evaluation during the filing process. 

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How to Submit and Facilitate a Permanent Impairment Evaluation:

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It is the employee's responsibility to seek and schedule a permanent impairment evaluation examination with a qualified doctor authorized or designated by Commission. For the official submission of a PI evaluation, the employee must provide the qualified doctor a FORM MED-02. The examining doctor is fully required to enclose his or her full evaluation report together with the completed form during submission to the Commission or the carrier. The doctor's full evaluation report is considered a required record.  

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II.     Independent Medical Examinations (IME)​

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The second type of evaluation required under workmen's compensation is the Independent Medical Examination (or IME). An IME is often considered to evaluate specific or targeted medical issues relating to the employee's physical ability and certain capacity when raised by the Commission or carrier. An IME can be initiated in conjunction with a PI evaluation and may be conducted by a qualified doctor designated by the Commission. 

 

The most common IME is the assessment of the employee's current ability to return to work and resume full duties, or the employee's overall physical capacity to obtain re-employment or resume current employment. This sort of evaluation may be required if the employee under light duties have not received any further medical orders from the treating physician, usually 3 or more months since assigned for light duty.​ 

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Facilitating an IME on the Resumption of Employment or Work:

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For an IME evaluation on employment resumption, the employee must provide the examining doctor FORM MED-03. The examining doctor must ensure his or her full evaluation report is enclosed together with the completed form upon submission. Please be informed that the doctor's full IME evaluation report is considered a required record.