IME Exit Survey
IME Exit Survey: Update on Anonymous Surveys and Provider Performance Information
Firms suspend exit survey distribution July 1, 2011
Beginning on July 1, independent medical examiners should stop distributing exit surveys to workers. Instead, L&I began sending surveys directly to workers with the appointment letters about their independent medical exams.
Pilot of anonymous survey is part of effort to improve IME process
- L&I tested an anonymous version of the IME Exit Survey to see if this increases survey responses. The results are included in the IME Exit Survey report.
- The Business and Labor Subcommittee requested the pilot.
- IME surveys began in March 2010; there were over 1,000 responses the first four months. Participation then decreased to 500–600 worker responses per quarter. The response rate has increased since the department began distributing the surveys with the IME appointment letters.
- Surveying is part of a team effort to improve the IME experience for our workers and to provide useful and accurate IME reports for our claims managers.
First year’s survey findings mostly positive
We began surveying workers on their IME experience in March 2010. The first year’s results show an overall positive response from workers about their IME experience, and also highlight opportunities for improvement.
The first year’s data indicates a direct correlation between:
- how a worker perceives they have been treated by the IME examiner and their overall satisfaction with the process; and
- amount of time the IME examiner spends with the worker and the worker’s overall satisfaction with the IME process.
We will be working with IME providers and the worker community to address these findings.
Questions?
Contact: Kristen.Baldwin-Boe@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-6815.
