Upcoming IME exam for EDD disability - are they trying to terminate my benefits early?

I had an IME about 6 months ago for my SDI claim (shoulder surgery). Here's what to expect: - It's usually a short appointment (20-30 minutes) - They'll review your medical records - Ask about your symptoms and limitations - Do a basic physical examination - May ask about your job duties specifically My best advice: be honest but don't minimize your symptoms. Describe your worst days not your best days. Bring copies of recent MRIs or other imaging if you have them. Also bring a list of all medications and treatments you've tried. The IME doctor works for EDD, not you, so they're looking to verify you still qualify for benefits. Don't exaggerate (they can tell), but make sure they understand your full limitations. Don't panic though - not everyone gets cut off. I passed my IME and continued receiving benefits until I returned to work.

they r DEFINITELY trying to cut u off!!!! my cousin had same thing happen nd the doctor spent like 5 min with him and boom benefits GONE!!! these IME docs r paid to find nothing wrong, thats how the system works. EDD just wants to stop paying u. bring EVERYTHING u can - all ur medical files, pics of ur injury if u have them, videos of ur bad days. dont let them rush u!!!

I've helped several clients through the IME process for California SDI. A few important points to understand: 1. IMEs are standard for longer disability claims (usually 3+ months) - it doesn't mean EDD suspects fraud 2. Preparation matters - bring a current medication list, treatment timeline, and copies of recent medical documentation 3. The exam typically focuses on your specific medical condition and functional limitations 4. Be prepared to describe how your condition affects daily activities and work duties specifically 5. If possible, bring a simple journal documenting symptom severity over 1-2 weeks I've seen many clients continue benefits after IMEs. The key is documentation and clearly explaining your functional limitations related to your job requirements. Your doctor should also be prepared to respond if the IME doctor requests additional information afterward. Be honest about your condition - don't exaggerate or minimize. And if you get an adverse decision, remember you have appeal rights.

I went through an IME last month and it was WAY less scary than I expected! Doctor was actually pretty nice. Asked about my symptoms, did some basic range of motion tests, and reviewed my file. Got a letter 10 days later saying my benefits would continue. Just be honest and you'll be fine!

I'm going through something similar right now with my disability claim. I've had multiple IMEs over the years (chronic condition), and they're usually looking for a few key things: 1. Is your condition still medically supported? 2. Are your symptoms consistent with your diagnosis? 3. Do your limitations match your job requirements? 4. Are you following treatment recommendations? Something that's helped me: Before the appointment, write down EXACTLY how your condition limits your ability to perform specific job functions. Be very concrete. For construction with a back injury, explain precisely why you can't lift/bend/climb/etc. without risking further injury. One thing to know - if they suddenly cut off your benefits after the IME, you can and should appeal immediately. The appeal success rate is surprisingly high if you have good medical documentation. Don't give up if you get bad news. Honestly though, getting through to EDD during the appeal process can be absolute nightmare. Last time I had to appeal, I couldn't get through on the phone for WEEKS. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Good luck with the IME! Try not to stress too much before it happens.

my back injury took 18 months to fully recover and i had 2 IMEs during that time. passed the first but failed the second eventhough i wasnt better yet!! doctor said i could do "modified work" when my real doctor said i couldnt work at all. my company didnt have light duty so i was just out of luck. the whole system is rigged...just prepare for the worst

From my experience as someone who deals with the CA disability system regularly: IMEs serve a legitimate purpose - they help verify that benefits are going to those who truly need them. Yes, some IME doctors are more restrictive than others, but most are professional and thorough. A few practical tips: 1. Dress comfortably but appropriately 2. Answer questions directly without volunteering unnecessary information 3. If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification 4. If a movement causes pain, say so immediately - don't push through 5. Bring a list of all doctors, treatments, and medications After the IME, request a copy of the report for your records. This is especially important if you need to appeal later. The decision usually takes 10-14 days, and benefits typically continue during this evaluation period.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much better prepared now. I've started documenting my daily pain levels and limitations, gathered all my medical records, and made a list of how my condition prevents me from doing specific job tasks. I'll update after my appointment to let you all know how it went. Fingers crossed they understand I genuinely want to return to work, just not before I'm medically ready to do so safely.

Hey Zoe, I went through an IME about 8 months ago for a knee injury and totally understand your anxiety. One thing that really helped me was bringing a written summary (just one page) that outlined my injury date, treatments tried, current limitations, and specific work tasks I couldn't perform. The doctor seemed to appreciate having it organized clearly. Also, don't be afraid to speak up if they ask you to do something that causes significant pain during the physical exam. I made the mistake of trying to "tough it out" during some movements and later worried it made me look less disabled than I actually am. The waiting period after is the worst part - took about 12 days to get my decision letter. But like others have said, many people do continue their benefits after IMEs. Just be honest about your limitations and focus on how your specific injury prevents you from safely doing construction work. Good luck!

I've been through two IMEs during my disability claims over the past few years, and I wanted to share what worked for me. The most important thing is to go in with realistic expectations - they're not trying to "catch" you, but they do need to verify your medical condition justifies continued benefits. Here's what I found helpful: - Arrive a few minutes early but don't sit in uncomfortable chairs if your back is already hurting - Bring a simple timeline of your injury, treatments, and current symptoms - Be specific about pain levels (use the 1-10 scale your doctors use) - Explain exactly which work activities you can't do and why For back injuries specifically, they'll likely ask you to bend, lift light objects, or do basic movements. Don't push through severe pain, but also don't refuse to try things unless they would genuinely cause harm. The doctor needs to see your actual functional limitations. One thing that surprised me - the IME doctor actually asked good questions about my treatment plan and seemed genuinely interested in understanding my condition. Not all of them are just looking to deny claims. Most importantly, if you do get a negative decision, don't panic. The appeals process exists for a reason and many decisions get overturned with proper medical documentation. Stay positive and focus on getting better!

I'm scheduled for my first IME next month for a shoulder injury and reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! The range of outcomes really shows how important preparation is. One question I haven't seen addressed - has anyone dealt with taking pain medication before their IME appointment? My doctor has me on a prescription that helps manage my daily pain, but I'm wondering if I should take it as normal or skip it so the IME doctor can see my "baseline" pain levels. I don't want them to think I'm more functional than I actually am without medication, but I also don't want to be in unnecessary agony during the exam. Also, for those who brought medical records - did you organize them in any particular way? I have a huge stack of documents from multiple doctors and I'm not sure what's most important to highlight. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences. It really helps to know what to expect, even if the outcomes vary. Zoe, I'll be thinking of you at your appointment - please do update us on how it goes!

I just went through an IME for my disability claim about 3 weeks ago and wanted to share some encouragement! I was terrified after reading mixed experiences online, but it ended up being much more straightforward than I expected. The doctor was professional and thorough - spent about 25 minutes with me, asked detailed questions about my condition and daily limitations, and did a careful physical exam. I was honest about my pain levels and functional restrictions without exaggerating or downplaying anything. A few things that seemed to help: - I brought a one-page summary of my injury timeline and current treatments - Made sure to explain specifically how my condition prevents me from doing my job duties - Was clear about which activities cause increased pain or risk re-injury - Brought recent test results and imaging reports Got my decision letter 2 weeks later and my benefits are continuing! The key really seems to be good documentation and being honest about your actual limitations. Try not to stress too much beforehand - focus on clearly communicating your real functional limitations and how they impact your ability to work safely. Wishing you the best with your appointment!

I'm scheduled for an IME next week too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Reading everyone's experiences really shows that preparation and honesty are key. I've been dealing with a work-related wrist injury for about 4 months now and I'm terrified they'll say I can go back to my data entry job when I still can't type for more than 10 minutes without severe pain. One thing I'm planning to do based on all the advice here is create that one-page summary everyone mentioned, plus I'm going to practice explaining exactly how my injury prevents me from doing my specific job tasks. It seems like being very concrete about work limitations rather than just describing general pain is what the IME doctors need to understand. For anyone else going through this - it's really reassuring to see that many people do get fair evaluations when they're prepared and honest. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, and Zoe, definitely keep us posted on how your appointment goes! We're all rooting for you.