Qualified Medical Evaluations

QME (Qualified Medical Evaluation) psychological reports are used to help determine an injured worker’s eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. Psychological injuries can result from stressors in the workplace. Such stressors include harassment, a hostile work environment, or trauma. A psychological injury can also result from a physical injury in the workplace. Chronic pain arising from these injuries can cause depression, anxiety, and other problems. Employees may file for workers’ compensation for depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD. The Qualified Medical Examiner will evaluate how psychological injuries affect a worker’s overall psychological functioning.

What to expect from a Qualified Medical Evaluation

When a Panel QME is scheduled, the applicant will receive information regarding the date, time, and place for the evaluation. Which typically takes 4 - 6 hours. The Qualified Medical Examiner will conduct a thorough psychological evaluation that includes:

• psychosocial history

• medical history

• legal history

• educational history

• occupational history

• mental health history

• history of the injury

The applicant also completes a battery of psychological tests that assess a person’s general complaints. This includes assessing current emotional and possibly physical functioning. Additionally, the psychological evaluation will provide objective data to support any diagnosis or conclusions drawn by the QME. The QME will also review any medical records related to the workers’ comp for stress, depression, anxiety, or other psychological injury claims. With psych claims for workers’ compensation, the Qualified Medical Examiner has 30 days from the psychological evaluation date to complete and submit the report to the requesting parties. This typically includes the adjuster, defense attorney, and applicant attorney.