EDD requesting Independent Medical Exam for my SDI claim - what to expect?

I got one of these last summer for my back injury claim. DON'T PANIC - it's actually pretty routine especially if your disability claim is going longer than they initially expected. The exam itself was about 45 minutes with their doctor asking questions and doing some basic tests related to my condition. Bring all your medical records and be honest about your symptoms. The doctor I saw was actually pretty fair. Make sure you call and schedule it IMMEDIATELY though. That 10-day deadline is serious. If you can't get an appointment within 10 days, document all your attempts to schedule and let EDD know. They're mostly checking that your disability is legitimate and getting a second opinion on your expected return-to-work date.

My sister went thru this and they CUT OFF her benefits even tho her dr said she needed more time off!! Be super careful what u say during the exam. They look for ANY reason to deny u. My sister mentioned she could do laundry sitting down and they used that against her saying she could do "light duty work" 🙄

Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) are a standard part of EDD's verification process for longer-term disability claims. The purpose is to get an objective assessment of your medical condition and work limitations. Here's what you need to know: 1. Bring all medical records related to your condition 2. Bring a list of all medications you're currently taking 3. Be prepared to discuss your work duties and how your condition affects them 4. Answer honestly but don't volunteer extra information 5. The doctor will submit their report to EDD within about 5 business days 6. Your benefits will continue during this process unless the IME doctor determines you're able to return to work Focus on explaining the functional limitations that prevent you from working, not just your symptoms. The fact that your regular doctor supports continuing disability is important, but the IME doctor's opinion will carry significant weight.

I had to do one of these for my pregnancy disability claim that went beyond the standard timeframe. The doctor was actually very understanding. Just be honest about your limitations and consistent with what you've reported to EDD previously. They mostly want to confirm you're not exaggerating your condition. One thing I wish I'd known - they may ask about your daily activities, so be prepared to discuss what a typical day looks like for you. If your condition fluctuates (good days/bad days), make sure to explain that clearly. They sent their report to EDD about a week after my exam, and my benefits continued without interruption. But I've heard others had different experiences, so document everything just in case.

If you're struggling to reach EDD about this, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at EDD when I had questions about my disability exam. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd I was skeptical but it actually worked - they got me connected to a disability rep in about 25 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. The rep was able to explain exactly what to expect with the independent exam and calmed my nerves about the whole process. Seriously worth checking out if you need answers quickly.

Watch out for these independent doctors!! They work FOR the EDD not for you! I had one who spent maybe 10 minutes with me, barely examined me, then wrote a report saying I could return to work despite my severe back pain. My regular doctor was furious and had to fight with EDD to keep my benefits going. Make sure you're SUPER clear about ALL your limitations and don't let them rush you through the appointment!!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if possible, have your primary doctor write a detailed letter about your condition, treatment plan, and why you're unable to work right now. I brought this to my IME and the doctor actually seemed to appreciate having the additional information. It shows you're actively working with your doctor and following a treatment plan, not just trying to stay on disability indefinitely.

mine was soooo awkward the doctor kept trying to catch me in a lie by asking the same questions different ways lol but i got approved for continued benefits so whatever

A few additional tips for your IME appointment: 1. Arrive early and bring a complete list of all healthcare providers you've seen for this condition 2. Be prepared to describe how your condition affects your daily life and work duties specifically 3. If you have good and bad days, make sure to clarify the frequency and severity of symptoms on bad days 4. Don't exaggerate, but don't minimize your symptoms either 5. If you bring someone with you, they typically won't be allowed in the exam room but can help you remember details before/after 6. Ask for a copy of the IME report to be sent to your treating physician After the exam, follow up with EDD (yes, I know it's difficult to reach them) to confirm they received the report and check your claim status.

btw has anyone noticed EDD seems to be sending out WAY more of these exam requests lately?? My friend and my sister both got them in the past couple months. Seems like theyre trying to kick people off benefits faster 😡