The independent medical examination: cardiology assessment.

Insurance companies frequently seek medical opinions from various specialists concerning the severity of a medical problem, the appropriateness of a treatment plan and a assessment of the degree of medical impairment in persons who claim they are entitled to disability benefits. The insurer is requesting a medical opinion from a physician not involved in the care of the claimant and with no regular business ties to the insurance company; the insurance industry refers to this as an independent medical examination (IME). The purpose of the cardiology IME is to have an objective assessment concerning symptomatology and disease severity, and to reach a conclusion as to whether the cardiology problem is expected to prevent a return to work. The cardiologist needs to narrow the focus on the heart solely in terms of its primary function, that is, its ability to pump blood.