How to Start, Build, and Run a Successful IME Practice

Learn how to supplement or replace your clinical income by performing IMEs.

The earning potential of performing IMEs is enormous. Successful independent medical examiners can an earn $100,000+ per year by performing IMEs one day per week. Exam fees average $2,800 and are often much higher than this. Physicians routinely do multiple exams in one day. IMEs can be done on your schedule, with minimal additional overhead, no call, and without disrupting your current practice.

IMEs are requested by insurance companies, IME companies and law firms. The work consists of examining a claimant in a workers’ compensation or personal injury case and issuing a written report of your findings. You may be asked to opine on the extent and cause of the claimant’s injuries, level of impairment, ability to work, etc.

Although the exams themselves are typically conducted in person, the record review and report writing can be done from home. Only basic equipment is needed (exam table, inclinometer,etc). You also don’t need your own office – many doctors rent temporary space for the hours or days they perform IMEs.  

Includes:

• Over 13.75 hours of on-demand streaming instruction (1 year license);
• 317 page written manual (including free bound hard copy mailed to learners in the USA);
• Personalized feedback on your proposed fee for performing IMEs;
• Personalized feedback on your CV;
• Personalized feedback on your SEAK IME Directory Listing (if you have placed one);
• The ability to submit a list of up to three questions to SEAK's Faculty;
• 15-20 minute individual Zoom call with SEAK to answer your questions and follow-up questions and provide the feedback specified above;
• 2026 Updates on Fee Setting, Marketing, Excelling at Your Video Deposition, and the use of AI;
• Sample IME fee schedules;
• Sample IME reports;
• A copy of the full results of SEAK's 2024 IME Fee Survey;
• A list of over 100 IME Brokers & Referral Services and where to find them;
  
• Up to 13.75 Category 1 CME Credits;
• 50% discount on one new or renewal standard listing in SEAK's IME Directory (this offer expires 30 days after registering for the course); and
• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.

WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH BY PARTICIPATING:

• Start and run an efficient and profitable IME practice

• Understand specifically what referral sources are looking for from IME physicians

• Learn how to grow your IME practice

• Understand the IME selection process

• Avoid the biggest mistakes IME physicians make

• Write higher quality and more valuable IME reports

• Write more persuasive, defensible IME reports

• Reduce your legal risks

• Obtain high-quality clients with repeatable business

• Build a premier IME practice with built-in sustainability

CONTENT

The Biggest Mistakes IME Physicians Make & What Clients are Looking For

The faculty identifies and discusses the most common and significant IME mistakes physicians make: administratively, gathering and reviewing the medical records, conducting the examination, interacting with the examinee, report writing, testifying at deposition and hearing, billing, collection and marketing. Faculty will also review with attendees the results of their research into what IME clients are looking for from IME physicians and how these influence their selection process. Included in the discussion will be: credentials, specialization, cooperativeness, report writing ability, and ability and willingness to testify at deposition or hearing.

Advanced Physical Examination Techniques and the Quality IME

The faculty discusses and demonstrates an exceptional IME exam. Discussion and demonstration includes: interview and history, questionnaires, review of records, diagnostic studies, physical orthopedic/neurological evaluation, testing in numerous examination positions, tools of the trade, report writing and comment sections of the report.

How to Identify Symptom Magnification, Fraud and Malingering

Faculty discusses the proper symptom magnification definitions, injury red flags, non-organic signs and their meanings, how to identify and demonstrate any inconsistencies, specific tests for symptom magnification, the proper use of functional capacity evaluation, and the role of surveillance.

How to Write a Bulletproof IME

The faculty discusses and demonstrates how to draft an IME report that will stand up under scrutiny and cross-examination.

Advice & Pointers for Medical Record Review

The faculty explains the most efficient techniques for obtaining, organizing, and reviewing the medical and other records provided. Emphasis will be placed on missing and disorganized records.

Special Advice for Psychiatric IME Opinions

The faculty discusses some specific recommendations for psychiatric IMEs and how to excel at them.

Special Advice for Cardiology IME Opinions

The faculty discusses some specific recommendations for cardiology IMEs and how to excel at them.

IME Brokers and Scheduling Companies

How to identify the companies physicians may want to work with, how to develop good working relationships and what should be avoided in considering working with these companies.

IME Ethical Dilemmas: Avoiding Pitfalls and Minefields

The faculty identify the most common and difficult IME dilemmas faced by IME physicians and will offer practical suggestions for resolving them.

Case Study - Job Analysis and Injury Causation

The faculty describes a case involving an injured worker and some of the issues that arose during the IME assignment.

Plaintiff & Defense Attorneys - How Their Perspectives on IMEs Differ

The faculty discusses the difference between what plaintiff and defense attorneys are looking for and why.

Innovative Premium Fee Setting and Billing Techniques

Faculty present cost-effective efficient protocols for premium fee setting and billing. Emphasis will be placed on being paid for the time spent, expertise and quality of the work product.

Life Expectancy and IMEs

The faculty explains how the issue of life expectancy may or may not be relevant to an IME assignment.

Working with and Advice from Defense Attorneys

Insight into what defense attorneys are really looking for from IME physicians. Videos of defense attorneys explaining their needs and issues are presented.

Marketing an IME Practice

Simple, cost-effective strategies to market and expand an IME practice. Emphasis will be placed on what the physician and staff can do to build a premium practice and to make your IME practice more efficient and profitable.

Excelling at Your IME Deposition

The faculty provides a detailed checklist containing many of the issues physicians will face at deposition. Special emphasis will be placed on particular IME issues and questions.

Testifying via Zoom

The faculty will explain special techniques for testifying remotely.

AI & IMEs

The faculty will discuss the pros and cons of AI and how it may be used in your IME practice.

Feedback for IME Providers from a Workers' Compensation Judge

A collection of clips from Administrative Law Judge Tate giving her advice and thoughts on various issues that arise in IMEs.

Continuing Medical Education Information:

SEAK, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. SEAK, Inc. designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 13.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This enduring material activity was originally released on July 28, 2020. This enduring material activity was reviewed on July 5, 2023 and terminates on July 5, 2026.

What past attendees have to say:

“Absolutely superb”   

"Excellent in every regarding. Great starting point."

“A great learning tool and great stepping stone to starting IME work.”

“Awesome.”  

"I just recently took your course 'How to Start, Build, and Run a Successful IME Practice'. Thank you for all the great information. Like I told Tony, you have saved me a lot of heartache, time, and frustration. Loved all the hints and phrases regarding testifying, report writing, etc. Loved also the list of challenging questions/thoughts, especially the one 'As a DC, being challenged in court for not being an MD'. This is giving me food for thought if I ever am asked to do a deposition or testify. Thank you also for the hints on the attorney trying to anger the one being deposed."

“Dr. Dorto’s experience probably can’t be matched and [counsel’s] presentation was logical and elegant.”

“Excellent ~ one of the best I have been to in 20 years”

“Excellent and informative.” 

“Excellent coverage of entire process”

“Terrific course material and presenters”

“Excellent, of the highest quality. Really the best CME course I’ve been to in years, very professional.”

“Excellent preparation and presentation”

“Excellent way of learning in shortest period of time”

“Excellent” 

“Excellent presenters and very knowledgeable.”

“Excellent presentation/Conference. Will recommend to colleagues.”

“Extremely well run, informative, and entertaining”

“Faculty very competent and good teachers”

“Fantastic and very helpful”

“Fantastic course, comprehensive A+”

“Full of usable information”

“Gives me good direction.”

“Glad I attended. I gained info that will help me expand my IME practice.”

“Great presentations.”

“Great presentations, approachable, simple and practical information.”

“Great presenters.”

“Great way to start an IME practice.”

“I enjoyed the course and feel it will help me get to the next level."

“I very much enjoyed your conference and hope to implement your wisdom soon!”

“Informative and entertaining. A comfortable atmosphere.”

“It was fantastic and I will refer my colleagues. Both you and Tony have tremendous talent and expertise. Thank you for sharing it with us.”

“It was useful to learn what attorney’s look for in the background of IME doctors and in IME reports.”

“More than excellent ~ profitable”

“Organized, valuable tips.”

“Outstanding seminar with multiple practical tips”

“Practical point by point and examples of how to get started and forms to use, etc.”

“Spot on for myself as I will start doing IMEs full-time soon.”

“Terrific course material and presenters”

"The IME courses were exceptional. I am happy that I attended these two courses in Naples. The knowledge gained will make my reports stronger."

“The mock questions at the end were very enlightening.”

“Tips on depositions were very practical and useful.”

“Very good for intended objectives.”

“Very good, efficient, useful info.”

“Very good, excellent presenters.”

“Very good, knowledgeable faculty”

“Very good/informative.”

“Very helpful in broadening my understanding of the IME process.”

“Very helpful, approachable faculty.”

“Very informative about legal aspect, provided good tips to perform concise and thorough IME.”

“Very informative.”

“Very practical”

“Very qualified speakers, excellent presentations”

“Well organized and informative.”

“Well run, experienced faculty.”

CONTACT SEAK, Inc. - 508-457-1111 www.seak.com - PO Box 729 Falmouth, MA 02541 - mail@seak.com