What Is an Impairment Rating?

If an individual is injured in an accident or at work, they receive medical care and hopefully will not sustain any kind of long-term impairment. After appropriate medical treatment, the individual reaches what is called Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). MMI refers to the point in a patient’s treatment where their medical condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve significantly with further medical intervention. It does not necessarily mean that the patient has fully recovered, but rather that their condition has reached a plateau where no substantial change, better or worse, is expected despite ongoing care. At the point of MMI and Impairment Rating can be obtained. Impairment ratings are given as a percentage to evaluate how the person is doing when compared to pre-injury state.

An impairment rating is provided as a percentage used to quantify the extent of an injured worker’s permanent physical or functional limitations resulting from an injury. Impairment ratings are used to describe the degree to which an individual’s normal bodily functions have been altered. Impairment Ratings are typically based on the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. The Impairment Ratings make up an important component of most worker’s compensation claims, as well as personal injury cases.

What are impairment ratings used for?

Healthcare payors often use impairment ratings to calculate payouts for disability benefits or workers’ compensation. A higher impairment rating typically results in larger compensation amounts. The calculation of an impairment rating takes into consideration factors such as: occupation, age, and state-specific laws.

What is the role of impairment ratings in compensation?

Impairment ratings play a crucial role in determining the compensation an individual may be entitled to after an injury. These ratings measure the degree of permanent impairment following an accident or illness and directly impact insurance or workers’ compensation claims.

Why are accurate Impairment Ratings important?

Impairment ratings can greatly affect the amount of money paid to rehabilitate an injured worker, or the amount with which a claim is settled. Settlement amounts are based on a formula that includes the impairment rating. Both the payor and the claimant strive to make sure the compensation is fair and equitable. Permanent partial disability injuries account for approximately 50% of all workers compensation costs, with impairment ratings playing a key role in most states. Because of this, inaccurate impairment ratings can have a significant impact on workers compensation costs. Currently it is estimated that impairment ratings can vary between 4% and 11%. That can make a significant difference in insurance claim settlement costs.

How do I get an accurate impairment or disability rating?

This is where BICMD comes in! Our Best In Class Doctors offer a completely unbiased and accurate evaluation for any type of impairment or disability claim. We can provide permanent-impairment assessment on the basis of a medical file review. You will receive our impartial expert assessment of maximal medical improvement (MMI) and the permanent impairment rating. This process includes clinical analysis by an expert that are documented and consistent with jurisdictional and system requirements.

What does a BICMD unbiased review of disability or impairment include?

We provide you with an emailed summary and a detailed written report. If there is not adequate data, we can advise you on how to obtain it by requesting specific information from the treating physician or we offer an independent medical evaluation. BICMD is also experienced in translating impairment ratings into state-specific disability ratings and in assessing Global Assessment of Functioning.

BICMD will also provide you with:

  • Chronological summary
  • Timeline of treatment
  • Clinical summary
  • Clinical analysis and discussion, including specific issues requested
  • Impairment analysis with detailed explanation of the rating process
  • Impairment rating analysis to give to the treating physician for agreement.