What is an Agreed Medical Evaluation (AME)?
An Agreed Medical Evaluator is one selected by mutual agreement between your attorney and the insurance company. Unrepresented injured workers may not enter agree to an AME with the insurance company, for the protection of the worker (presumably because the State does not believe that the insurance company will be fair). Agreed Medical Evaluators are usually known and trusted by all parties in the workers’ compensation system.
The findings of an Agreed Medical Evaluator are binding on all parties. This means that the AME opinions usually override all other doctors (e.g. treating doctors and QME) opinions in the case.
A Panel QME report is not necessarily binding. It is entitled to the same weight as the report of the primary treating physician.
