We provide insights and proven strategies
for the
effective management of
impairment ratings, including a
unique suite of practical, effective cost
containment solutions:
These best practice resources provide a very
strong value proposition, create a great
opportunity for significant reduction in
claim costs and the potential of several
fold return on investment when used to drive
lower settlements or win at trial – as the
result of having accurate, unbiased ratings.
Erroneous impairment ratings result in
needless claims expense, extra adjuster
work, increased use of lawyers and delays in
claims closure. Monetary payouts for
impairment are key cost drivers in workers’
compensation cases. For example, in
California, statistics show that 82% of
California impairment ratings are erroneous,
that it is ten times more likely for a
rating to be too high than too low, and that
the average incorrect rating is nearly three
times higher than is appropriate. Ideally an
expert report should be able to validate the
physician’s rating; however our experience
reveals most ratings are substantially
higher than is appropriate.
Our studies have determined that the dollar
difference between the original rating and
the corrected rating per each California
workers' compensation case is a savings of
several thousands of dollars per case.
When an impairment rating is received by an
adjuster, the first step should be to
determine the likelihood that the impairment
rating is accurate. This process is easily
accomplished by an adjuster using
ImpairmentCheck™ (Patent Pending). If it is
probable that the rating is incorrect, then
the actual report should be reviewed by one
of our experts using an ImpairmentScreen™
and if there is a significant difference, an
expert physician review (ImpairmentExpert™)
is appropriate. Checks, Screens and Reviews
are used to determine case management
strategy, to provide feedback to the
examining physician with requested
modifications for a proper rating and for
settlement negotiations and/or preparation
for cross examination. We can also assist
claims staff and attorneys through
telephonic consultation, drafting of letters
to the evaluating physicians (ImpairmentLetter™)
and by providing expert testimony.
Proactive management will prevent many
errors. When it is probable an injured
worker is at maximal medical improvement, it
is appropriate to provide guidance to
physicians to increase the probability that
their ratings will be correct, to provide a
rating based on review of their medical
records for their agreement
(ImpairmentAssessment™), or to have them
provide their reports for quality assurance
and revision (if necessary) problem to
finalization (ImpairmentPhysicianConsult™).
Impairment Resources, LLC provides online
training and resources on the Guides at
www.FifthEdition.com and
www.SixthEdition.com.
It is more important than ever to make the
correct decisions and control needless
costs. Impairment Resources, LLC
(www.impairment.com) is unique in providing
resources essential to managing impairment
ratings and reducing workers’ compensation
claim costs.
