About ABIME

The foundation of the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners’ (ABIME) mission is the idea that accreditation of Independent Medical Examiners (IME Providers) by training and examination and lifelong maintenance of certification (MOC) benefits the public good. This conviction is based on the experience that certified doctors and healthcare providers by attaining the ABIME Certification as a Certified Independent Medical Examiners, (CIME^TM) have demonstrated that they possess the essential knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities to perform high quality Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and Personal injury assessments using standard guidelines such as AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment ^© as well as other current scientific standards.

Independent medical examinations (IMEs) are evaluations performed by an evaluator not involved in the care of the examinee, for clarifying clinical and case and or claims related Medicolegal issues including Scientific Causation analysis, work capacity, return to work, Maximum degree of Medical improvement, Impairment and disability assessment etc. IMEs are an important component of Personal injury claims, workers’ compensation systems, and are also used to clarify other disability or liability associated questions. Impairment evaluations are often used to provide a more objective understanding of the residual impact of an injury or illness.

The quality of IMEs and examiners varies widely, and it has been often difficult to identify skilled, thorough and unbiased examiners, especially before an examination. Training is provided by several professional societies; however, ABIME pioneered the process of certification and accreditation by examination that has become the national and international high quality certification process. ABIME is the global benchmark with its certified doctors providing medicolegal services across 19 countries and over 100 jurisdictions.

ABIME leadership continues to believe that accreditation and Credentials such a certification by examination followed by lifelong maintenance of certification (MOC) are reliable indicators of the healthcare professional’s capacity to perform independent medical examinations, impairment and disability evaluations and personal injury assessment according to the profession’s performance standards. Certification enables the public to make informed decisions regarding the selection and use of Independent Medical Examiners.

ABIME certification is recognized by the American College of Independent Medical Examiners, which sponsors state-of-the-art training courses in impairment and disability evaluation.

ABIME – Structure and Function

The ABIME is managed by an Executive Director as well as a Program Manager and the Board of advisors which spans several medical specialties and from 10 countries. There is a Standards Committee, an Examination Committee and education committee. The Board of Advisors not only represents ABIME certified doctors but also insurers, state workers’ compensation boards, employers, professional societies, benefits consultants, and other public interests.

ABIME – A Short History

ABIME, previously, a Washington DC, 501c6 corporation is now a West Virginia ABIME LLC. It is an organization independent of existing specialty and training organizations and aims to facilitate the development of an independent and high-quality certification process. ABIME aspires to interface cooperatively with other organizations and stives not to favor any specific group or specialty.