Evolve Assessments and Diagnostics offers a full spectrum of Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) services designed to assist law firms and insurer in-house counsel. Evolve’s assessors are experienced as expert witnesses and are available for arbitration and trial. Assessment reports undergo detailed and exhaustive quality assurance protocols to ensure all regulatory and legal standards are met resulting in highly ethical, impartial, and defensible reports. Available services include
Medical Assessments (IE/IME)
An independent and objective medical assessment performed by a regulated health professional from a vast variety of disciplines. Focus is on objectivity, unbiased opinion, decisiveness, and a clear response to customer enquiries regarding topics such as eligibility for benefits, level of disability, employability, medical restrictions, diagnosis, prognosis, and causality.
Multidisciplinary Assessments
A coordinated and collaborative combination of medical/vocational assessments completed by a team of health professionals which are chosen based on the client’s impairments and the issues to be addressed (eligibility for benefits, level of disability, employability, etc). Focus is on cross referencing of findings and the highest possible level of consensus. Includes an executive summary of findings if requested.
Future Care Cost Analysis/Life Care Plans
Completed by a certified Life Care Planner, these services analyze the present and future needs of a permanent and seriously impaired individual in the areas of rehabilitation, attendant care needs, medical needs, psychological/psychiatric needs, home/workplace modifications, mobility requirements (i.e. wheelchairs, scooters, etc), home care needs, and any other services aimed at compensating for lost abilities within the individual’s daily life and activities. These reports are highly detailed, both qualitatively in terms of description and quantitatively in terms of frequency and cost, and are invaluable in determining the life-long needs and cost of care for individuals with permanent serious/catastrophic impairment.
Functional Abilities Evaluations
Completed by a Kinesiologist, OT, Chiropractor, or Physiotherapist, a Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE) is a highly objective and structured battery of subtests aimed at determining the sum of the client’s physical abilities. These demonstrated abilities and overall activity tolerance are compared to the physical demands of the employee’s job allowing for sound employability and return-to-work conclusions.
Job Site Analysis
A highly objective evaluation of all the physical and cognitive demands of a client’s job. Ideally performed in the client’s workplace with contributions from the client and their employer, the assessor (usually an Occupational Therapist or Kinesiologist) uses task-analysis, employee/employer interview, objective measurements, photographs, and/or video to quantify the demands of a client’s job. The result is a report that details the frequency of tasks, positions, and movements as well as the strength required to complete the job safely. The Job Site Analysis Report is the backbone to vocational rehabilitation or employment-based disability claim.
Vocational/Psychovocational Evaluations
A comprehensive battery of evaluations focusing on an individual’s employment experience, aptitudes, learning abilities, and academic background with the goal of identifying alternative employment options. These options may be “direct entry”, meaning the individual is capable of commencing employment without any preparation, or “requiring re-training” in which the individual would be suitable for the position with some reasonable retraining. Psychovocational Evaluations add a Psychological Assessment of the individual to the standard Vocational Evaluation process to identify any psychological factors which may impact a return to the workforce or retraining. Vocational Evaluations are crucial in assisting individuals who have been deemed incapable of returning to their pre-impairment employment.
- Occupational Therapy In Home Assessments
Attendant Care Assessments (Form 1)
Using a task-analysis approach, an assessment of the client’s ability to perform their personal care tasks is performed by an Occupational Therapist or Nurse, preferably within the client’s living environment. The gleaned information is then analyzed to determine the time required to provide all necessary care. A Form 1 is then completed, providing an itemized breakdown of all required care and their associated costs. Customers are provided with the completed Form 1 and a detailed narrative report.
Comprehensive Catastrophic Assessments
Based on the AMA Guidelines to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition, a highly qualified team of medical evaluators complete a battery of assessments from pertinent disciplines to determine if the client meets the legislated catastrophic designation. These assessments are only assigned to highly experienced medical evaluators with AMA qualifications.
Paper Review Assessments
Paper Review Assessments are performed to determine the reasonableness and necessity of proposed treatment/assessment plans. Generally performed by a professional within the same discipline as the treating practitioner, a thorough review of all provided and pertinent medical and insurance documentation is completed to determine whether or not the services being proposed are within best practice guidelines, are priced within industry standards, and will in all probability result in the desired outcomes for the individual.
Chiropractic Evaluations
Performed by a certified Doctor of Chiropractic, these evaluations aim to identify an individual’s current diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment requirements from a Chiropractic point of view. Depending on referral requests, Chiropractic Evaluations may be focused on developing a detailed treatment regimen or to critique another practitioner’s treatment program and, if necessary, make suggestions for improved outcomes. In either scenario, outcomes are based on current chiropractic best practice standards.
Physiotherapy Assessments
A comprehensive assessment of an individual’s physical and functional abilities including mobility. Depending on referral requests, a Physiotherapy Assessment may be required to identify functional limitations and develop a suitable and effective treatment program aimed at restoring function as per current best practice standards. In other instances, a physiotherapy assessment may be required to critique a current treatment program and, if necessary, make recommendations aimed at improved outcomes, again based on current best practice standards.
In addition to Evolve’s assessment services, let us coordinate all of your logistical needs including transportation, travel, accommodations, and interpreter services.