Why Early Medical Insight Matters in Workers’ Compensation Claims:
Age of Injury (AOI) reports provide a clear, structured medical assessment that helps stakeholders understand when an injury most likely developed and how long it has been present. By offering early clinical insight, AOI reports support more informed decision-making. An accurate and timely report helps streamline the claims management process and reduces costly uncertainty. While an AOI report does not decide whether a claim is covered, it gives the claims teams crucial medical insight that helps them determine the most appropriate “next steps” with greater accuracy and confidence.
What is an Age of Injury Report?
An Age of Injury (AOI) report is an objective, evidence-based review that evaluates imaging, medical records, and documented clinical findings to help clarify when an injury most likely occurred. BICMD’s AOI reports are based on trusted medical standards, (not opinion or speculation). All of BICMD’s radiologists are fellowship trained musculoskeletal radiologists, not generalists. This sets our AOI reports apart because we are able to provide clear, unbiased medical information early in the claims process. Instead of replacing an Independent Medical Examination (IME) or a peer review, a good AOI report strengthens those evaluations by giving them a more accurate and consistent starting point.
What sets BICMD’s physicians apart?
BICMD’s subspecialty physicians have extensive training in understanding how injuries evolve, which is essential for producing accurate and clinically-sound Age of Injury (AOI) reports. Their expertise allows them to recognize the differences between new injuries, long-standing issues, and changes that come from natural wear and tear. BICMD’s AOI reports offer clear, objective medical insight, without determining the outcome of a claim. Instead, we give claims teams the reliable information they need to make fair, well-informed decisions for everyone involved.
Research underscores the value of BICMD’s subspecialty expertise. In this study highlighted below, The European Journal of Radiology determined that clinical errors were reduced by 30% when imaging was read by a specialist rather than a generalist. BICMD’s physicians are able to translate complex imaging into a clear, understandable report which helps claims teams navigate cases accurately and fairly.
The Clinical Value of Second-Opinion Reporting by Subspecialist Musculoskeletal Radiologists
Why Age of Injury Analysis Matters Early in the Claims Process:
Conducting an Age of Injury (AOI) analysis early in the claims process provides clarity, reduces uncertainty, and sets the stage for more accurate medical evaluations. Key benefits include:
- Establishing a Clinical Baseline: Helps distinguish between acute, chronic or degenerative conditions. It also provides the claims team with a clear understanding of the patient’s real-time medical status.
- Reducing Uncertainty and Misalignment: Our evidence-supported findings help prevent disagreements later on. Further, it helps identify when additional testing or a specialty review may be needed.
- Enhancing the Quality and Focus of Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs): This gives physicians essential information which helps them, in-turn, give more accurate evaluations. It also helps to minimize the need for additional reports or multiple IMEs (Independent Medical Examination).
BICMD’s AOI Reports Support Fair, Evidence-Based Decision-Making:
An Age of Injury (AOI) analysis from BICMD plays a crucial role in supporting fair, evidence-based decision-making across workers’ compensation claims. For employers and insurance carriers, it provides early insight for a complex, or difficult claim. A well-done AOI can offer the most likely cause(s) of the injury, which helps guide timely decision making. For claimants, AOIs ensure that their full medical history is taken into consideration, which helps reduce improper assumptions or inaccuracies. Physicians also benefit, using the AOI to perform more accurate examinations, based on documented clinical patterns.
By offering structured, evidence-based insight early in the process, BICMD helps all parties approach claims with confidence and transparency.
How to Integrate AOI Into the Claims Process:
Integrating an Age of Injury (AOI) analysis into the claims process can significantly streamline decision-making and improve outcomes for all parties. The recommended workflow is as follows:
- Obtain Imaging
- Request AOI
- Share insights with treating and evaluating providers
- Use the shared insights to guide next steps.
BICMD’s subspecialty physicians are trained in interpreting injury chronology. This is absolutely critical when ensuring that Age of Injury (AOI) reports are accurate, reliable, and clinically grounded. Our experts have a deep understanding of how injuries develop over time. This allows them to easily distinguish between acute, chronic, or degenerative conditions. Importantly, BICMD’s AOI provides objective medical insight without dictating claim outcomes. This gives the claims teams the ability to make informed decisions while maintaining neutrality and fairness for all parties involved.
Early Insight from BICMD’s AOI Report Drives Better Outcomes:
Age of Injury (AOI) reports play a pivotal role in creating a more informed, efficient, and fair evaluation process for workers’ compensation claims. By offering early clinical insight, AOI reports enable more accurate, evidence-based assessments that help all stakeholders make better-informed decisions. BICMD’s AOI reports help ensure defensible and well-supported outcomes. To strengthen your claims process and improve decision-making from the outset, consider integrating AOI reports from BICMD.
Partner with BICMD for clear, evidence-based Age of Injury (AOI) reports you can trust. Our fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists provide timely, objective analysis that clarifies the timing and nature of injuries, supporting informed, defensible decisions without bias. Gain the early clinical insight you need to move cases forward with confidence.
