by Christopher R. Brigham, MD
Since impairment ratings may be used inappropriately as a
direct correlate of disability, the Sixth Edition addresses
this issue by explaining:
- "The relationship between impairment and disability
remains both complex and difficult, if not impossible, to
predict. In some conditions there is a strong association
between level of injury and the degree of functional loss
expected in one's personal sphere of activity (mobility and
ADLs). The same level of injury is in no way predictive of
an affected individual's ability to participate in major
life functions (including work) when appropriate motivation,
technology, and sufficient accommodations are available.
Disability may be influenced by physical, psychological, and
psychosocial factors that can change over time." (6th ed., 5
- 6)
The Sixth Edition specifically states, as did
prior editions, that "the
Guides is not intended to be
used for direct estimates of work participation restrictions.
Impairment percentages derived according to the
Guides'
criteria do not directly measure work participation
restrictions." (6th ed., 6). Instead it stresses that "the
intent of the
Guides is to develop standardized
impairment ratings which involves defining the diagnosis and
associated loss at maximum medical improvement, enabling a
patient with an impairment rating to exit from a system of
temporary disablement, and provide diagnosis and taxonomic
classification of impairment as a segue into other systems of
long-term disability". (6th ed., 6) In other words, the
process of assigning an impairment rating requires the
evaluator to clearly delineate the diagnostic criteria (based
on the history, including prior clinical course), physical
examination findings, current and prior diagnostic test
results, and functional status that places the patient in a
given impairment class and warrants assignment of a specific
number within the options for that class, with the
understanding that the provision of an impairment rating does
not directly equate to a permanent disability rating.
__________________________________________
AMA Guides: 101 Webinar Series
AMA Guides, 5th Edition: 101 Webinar
Series
(Series Currently In Progress)
Hundreds of people have already taken this web-based series
on the Guides, 5th Edition. This is a great course for
novice impairment raters or as a refresher. The Fundamentals
is an overview on the use of the AMA Guides, 5th
Edition, with a focus on principles of impairment evaluation,
and assessment of spine, upper extremity, lower extremity,
neurological, and pain impairments.
The seminar is offered in four convenient two hour
sessions, totaling eight hours of superb training. This
seminar is designed for physicians, attorneys, and claims
staff with minimal or no experience in the use of the
Guides. It is also an excellent review for individuals
who may have attended an introductory course and desire
further review and clarification. Most individuals require two
to three learning experiences to grasp the complexities of
impairment evaluation.
At the conclusion of these Guides Webinars you will
be able to:
- Demonstrate the appropriate use of the AMA Guides to
the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition in
assessing musculoskeletal, neurological and pain impairment.
- Explain how to review an impairment evaluation report to
determine if the rating is accurate or not.
- Describe specific claims and legal strategies to manage
erroneous ratings.
The schedule for this series is
as follows:
Past Sessions:
- Wednesday, May 7th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. PST
Overview,
Lower Extremity
- Wednesday, May 14th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. PST
Upper
Extremity
- Wednesday, May 21st, 2:00-4:00 p.m. PST
Spine
Remaining Session:
- Wednesday, May 28th, 2:00-4:00 p.m. PST
Other
Chapters & Strategies
For Registration Details Click
Here
__________________________________________
Low Cost Solution To Ensuring
Accurate Impairment
Ratings
For the month of May we are offering a modest
fee of $95 for a routine "Impairment Screen" (correct or
incorrect). The standard fee is $95 for correct and $195 for
incorrect. This low-cost option is most useful for screening
purposes and internal case management. After your review of
the Rating Screen we can provide a detailed narrative report
at an additional charge.
This screening service is restricted to impairment
assessment (without analysis of causation, apportionment or
disability rating), to the review of a single impairment
evaluation report, less than 30 pages of records, the
assessment of two body regions or less, and excludes complex
cases (such as hand impairment assessment, medical and
psychological issues).
Our time frame is 5 working days for most reviews although
complex or lengthy cases may require additional time. Rush
reviews are available in less than 5 working days at an
additional fee.
Use our easy online referral www.impairment.com/referral
- once registered make a referral in less than a minute.
